Our Forests Under Threat: Protecting Forests for Sustainable Livelihoods

30 June 2020 – Forests and the biodiversity they contain continue to be under threat from human activities. To explore solutions in balancing conservation goals with local needs and global demands for forest resources, FAO North America and the National Geographic Society hosted a virtual screening and roundtable, moderated by Vanessa Serrao, Executive Producer at the National Geographic Society.

The film, A Journey Without a Map: New Generation Plantations in Uganda, spotlights how sustainable forestry is helping Uganda electrify, cutting down on firewood use— and providing livelihoods. “Filmmaking is a great way to collaborate with people, bring communities, companies, governments together to work out ideas, amplify voices that aren’t heard as much in the media,” said James Thomson, who produced the film with Thomas Hogben.

“Helping governments improve economic policy and the management and governance of the forest sector is of critical importance to FAO,” said Vimlendra Sharan, Director of FAO North America, in his opening remarks. “To check deforestation and reverse these trends requires a change in policies and laws, institutions, and incentives, in and beyond the forestry sector.”

Kathy Abusow, President and CEO of Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) underlined that the solutions lie in sustainable forestry management, communities, and the purchase of sustainably sourced products. She provided examples of how companies are collaborating for positive conservation outcomes and emphasized the need for increased access to environmental education.

“The conservation of biodiversity is utterly dependent on the way we interact with and use the world’s forests,” emphasized Mette Wilkie, Director of FAO’s Forestry Policy and Resources Division. Wilkie presented key findings from the recently launched State of the World’s Forests report. Despite the progress made so far, deforestation and forest degradation continue at an alarming rate, with 10 million hectares of forest converted to other uses each year. The report finds that agriculture, particularly large-scale agriculture, is the main driver of deforestation.

Alex Kyabawampi, Corporate Social Responsibility Manager for The New Forests Company (NFC) who featured prominently in the film, shared his appreciation of the company’s philosophy based on the three pillars of “commerce, conservation and community.” NFC is a certified vertically integrated forestry and timber processing company in Uganda. Kyabawampi elaborated on the importance of using an integrated landscape approach and co-designing community projects and livelihood opportunities such as agroforestry, beehives, and micro-finance programs.

Students Owen Semate and Agnes Nassande from Forest High School in Uganda who also featured in the film joined the session, and added their voice on the importance of forest conservation and reforestation efforts while highlighting the need for energy access and health services in their community.

“To address the issue of rising deforestation, we need tailored and integrated responses that take local communities and local contexts into account, that include the voices of all the stakeholders, and that work for nature, but also people,” summarized Huma Khan, Global Communications Lead for Forests at WWF. By doing so, WWF has been able to see progress in lowering the reach of deforestation in some countries.

The session, which included a robust Q & A session with participants, highlighted the complexity of balancing competing demands for forest resources, the need for good governance and community engagement, and the key role that sustainable forestry management can play in creating livelihood opportunities.

Watch the webinar.