With deforestation continuing to accelerate at an alarming rate, forest conservation has never been more critical to the survival of many endangered species as well as the overall health of our planet’s ecosystems. Businesses that plant trees, and conserve forests and other natural resources, are taking action to protect and sustainably manage their natural environment, which in turn protects their business interests and those of future generations of humanity.
It’s no secret that our forests are one of the most important and valuable natural resources on our planet. Forests provide us with oxygen. They are home to countless species of animals that we rely on both economically and socially. Forests contribute to businesses through natural resources, environmental services, and tourism. Here are some of their most prominent impacts.
Helps Fight Climate Change
Forests are large stores of carbon dioxide, which means they help fight climate change by keeping tons of carbon out of our atmosphere. Simply put, a healthy forest will help keep our environment clean and safe for future generations. A forest also absorbs greenhouse gasses that can damage human health, meaning every tree is helping to protect human lives. Keeping forests alive and thriving is incredibly important to help slow down and stop global warming.
Trees act as natural air conditioners. And this is highly beneficial for the drastic climate changes we’re experiencing, from hotter summers, colder winters, and more severe storms. With approximately 30% of Earth covered by forest, imagine what it would be like if they weren’t there to keep us cool. In recent years, millions of acres of forests have been lost due to deforestation. This has made a huge impact on our environment and ecosystem. To solve these devastating problems around us, businesses invest in reforestation programs.
Benefits Products We Use Every Day
Paper and paper products are a huge part of our lives: newspapers, magazines, books, pens, and pencils come from trees. By improving forest conservation practices for paper and pulp companies, we can reduce deforestation to a minimum. A company might even choose to use recycled content instead of cutting down trees altogether.
Increases Business Opportunities
One way businesses can truly take advantage of forests is by investing in their restoration to protect the loss of natural capital, like water supply and biodiversity. By restoring degraded lands, it creates opportunities for business expansion while at the same time reducing pressures on forested lands. Protecting forests also means healthy rivers and fish populations, which improves sanitation. Many municipalities are taking responsibility for forest conservation by establishing their codes for sustainable sourcing of wood and paper products, creating a win-win situation between business owners and conservationists.
Companies can also invest in heavy equipment for construction to aid forest management companies with machinery and other tools needed. Equipment like excavators, cranes, bulldozers, tractors, and trucks are very useful for carrying out forest improvement projects like clearing, grubbing stumps/roots from a large area, or hauling material from one point to another. This strategy is particularly helpful for those living in remote areas where there aren’t many companies specializing in such services.
Helps Communities Thrive
Forests play a central role in developing communities, providing water, food, and livelihoods. Trees and forests are one of humanity’s greatest natural resources. They regulate climate patterns, clean our air and water, protect wildlife, produce oxygen, and help keep us healthy. The commercial timber industry is essential to local economies worldwide because it provides jobs to local people while maintaining forests for future generations. Forests even offer what some might call intangible benefits — greater happiness, improved mental health, and well-being.
Offers Several Economic Benefits
Forest conservation offers a range of economic benefits for businesses. First, it’s an important strategy for preventing deforestation and habitat destruction. Second, forest conservation helps improve soil quality. Third, protecting forests is an effective way to fight climate change—protecting forests is one of our most direct means to reduce carbon emissions.
This can help preserve business margins over time as more investors realize that companies with strong environmental credentials will be best positioned to compete in the coming years.
Supports Biodiversity
A functional ecosystem is a home to many plants and animals, but deforestation threatens to tear apart our natural habitat. Forest conservation benefits biodiversity by increasing species’ numbers and protecting our environment from further degradation. By saving forests, we ensure that the animal kingdom will not go extinct. Without them, we lose out on an array of different products they provide us with. It also protects soil moisture and air quality — two resources threatened by deforestation.
Fortunately, many companies are discovering that forest conservation can be good for business. Whether they offer an alternative source of materials or serve as a valuable habitat for local animals and plants, forests can become an invaluable asset to a company’s long-term success.
