Forests face increasing climate-related stress amid growing demand for their products, FAO report warns

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
July 22, 2024
Category: Forestry
Region: International

ROME – Climate change is increasing the susceptibility of the world’s forests to stressors such as wildfires and pests, according to a new flagship publication by the FAO of the United Nations that emphasizes the role of innovation in achieving a sustainable future for the forestry sector. The State of the World’s Forests 2024 report was released on Monday at the 27th session of the Committee on Forestry. The report says there’s evidence to suggest that climate change is making forests more vulnerable to stressors such as wildfires and pests. …Climate change also makes forests more vulnerable to invasive species, with insects, pests and disease pathogens threatening tree growth and survival. …Global wood production, meanwhile, remains at record levels. After a brief dip during the COVID-19 pandemic, production is back at about 4 billion cubic meters yearly. The report argues that forest-sector innovation is a crucial enabler of progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

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