International Day of Forests on 21 March was about raising awareness of the value of forests throughout the world.
Here in Ireland we now need more than ever to consider this as our Government has plans to sell off the harvesting rights to State forestry.
Trees are of huge environmental importance. They help control climate by taking in carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and emitting oxygen. They absorb pollution from the atmosphere. They create amazing woodland ecosystems that are homes to wildlife. They process sunlight – nature's free solar power – into wood to provide a range of timber and non-timber products for heating, construction, furniture and more. They improve soil fertility with their leaf litter, and their roots help stabilise the soil. They provide shelter, shade and a scenic landscape.
Instead of selling off our forests, we should be investing in a new sustainable forestry model with more native hardwoods – with a high value for both timber and environment – and we should be developing systems such as agroforestry, a way for farmers and growers to diversify at small cost and increase the overall yield from their land.
Such inexpensive investment could create thousands of new jobs in tree nurseries and sustainable forest management. It is probably the simplest and easiest way to boost our local and national economies.
Bob Wilson
CELT (Centre for Environmental Living & Training)
Gleann Glas
Tuamgraney, Co Clare
