Steps you can take to support Community Based Forestry Programs
In general, Community Based Forestry Programs have two main goals: to help people in developing parts of the world to be able to provide a living for themselves and family members, and to help manage forest resources in ways that are sustainable. These goals are strongly aligned to our overall goal of sustainability which is to meet the needs of the current generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs, so it would be helpful to appeal to people outside of these programs to support and maintain the ability of CBFMs to continue to operate.
While many people today are convinced of the importance of protecting our environment, some doubt that the action of just one person can actually have an impact, and that the only changes that will help are at the institutional or government level. But there are many ways to protect the sustainability of our forests on an individual level:
- Monitor your own use of forest based products, including wood, charcoal, and paper to make the best use of these resources.
- Recycle all eligible paper products, and repurpose wood when possible.
- Avoid single use paper products like paper grocery bags, and use paper-less communications.
When forest products are used, support the efforts of Community Based Forestry Programs by:
- Buying products sourced from Community Based Forestry Programs to ensure that the participants involved have a market for their goods. Many fair trade products come from partnerships of CBFMs with retail organizations.[1]
- Donate to organizations that provide microloans to participants in CBFMs who might need equipment or permits. The Center for People and Forests helps local communities manage their forests in sustainable ways, and has many opportunities to donate to programs that are helping to mitigate climate change, including the Give2 Asia non-profit program that is working with 25 locations in the Asia-Pacific.[2]
- Buy products with the Forest Stewardship Council logo. These products are certified to have come from sustainably managed forests around the world, and a product finder is available.[3]
- Use your investments to help make a difference in sustainable forestry. The Global Impact Investing Network looks for investment opportunities in companies that have a positive social and environmental impact, including programs in sustainable forestry.[4]
- Use social media to spread awareness of products and businesses that support sustainable forest use. Your friends, family and neighbors may not give consideration to looking for sustainably sourced forest products, but linking to products that help save and protect our environment raises awareness about environmental concerns in sustaining our forests, and just as importantly, helps influence those around us to be similarly aware in their product selections.
- At the recent U.N. Climate Action Summit held on September 22, 2019, a new initiative, The Forests for Life Partnership was announced. The goal of this program is to stop the degradation of forests and help to reverse it in 1 billion hectares of forests around the world. The Partnership will be making $50 millions available over the next 5 years, but they are looking to raise $200 million from donations, including donations from individuals. Consider making a small monthly donation to the fund to help support the Partnership.[5]
Some might argue that these efforts alone will not save our forests, and it is true that individual efforts have limited impact, but this does not take into account that these small steps can have a transformative effect on other behaviors.[6] By using social media to spread awareness of steps that can be taken, it opens up the possibility that many others will participate, which in turn can help lead to society level changes as participants support businesses, programs and government leaders who make decisions based on sustainability of our resources.[7]
Consider incorporating these ideas and sharing your efforts with others to support sustainable forest use and the people involved in earning a living through Community Based Forest programs.
Bibliography
“Engage with us.” The Center for People and Forests. Web. October 5, 2019. https://www.recoftc.org/about/engage-us.
“Forests for Life: New Global Partnership Targets Planet’s Great Forests for Urgent Protection.” World Resources Institute. Web. September 25, 2019. https://www.wri.org/news/2019/09/release-forests-life-new-global-partnership-targets-planet-s-great-forests-urgent.
“GIIN Initiative for Institutional Impact Investment.” Global Impact Investing Network. Web. October 5, 2019. https://thegiin.org/giin-initiative-for-institutional-impact-investment.
Niesenbaum, Richard. Sustainable Solutions: Problem Solving for Current and Future Generations. New York: Oxford University Press, 2020. Print
“One Simple Action Helps Protect Forests for All Forever.” The Forest Stewardship Council. Web. October 5, 2019. https://advocate.us.fsc.org/one-simple-action/.
“Why Fair Trade?” Fair Trade Certified. Web. October 5, 2019. https://www.fairtradecertified.org/why-fair-trade.
[1] “Why Fair Trade?” Fair Trade Certified. Web. October 5, 2019. https://www.fairtradecertified.org/why-fair-trade.
[2] “Engage With Us,” The Center for People and Forests. Web. October 5, 2019. https://www.recoftc.org/about/engage-us .
[3] “One Simple Action Helps Protect Forests for All Forever,” The Forest Stewardship Council. Web. October 5, 2019. https://advocate.us.fsc.org/one-simple-action/.
[4] “GIIN Initiative for Institutional Impact Investment,” Global Impact Investing Network. Web. October 5, 2019. https://thegiin.org/giin-initiative-for-institutional-impact-investment.
[5] “Forests for Life: New Global Partnership Targets Planet’s Great Forests for Urgent Protection,” World Resources Institute. Web. September 25, 2019. https://www.wri.org/news/2019/09/release-forests-life-new-global-partnership-targets-planet-s-great-forests-urgent.
[6] Richard Niesenbaum. Sustainable Solutions: Problem Solving for Current and Future Generations. New York: Oxford University Press, 2020. Print.
[7] Ibid.
