Commonwealth Forests

FOREWORD

Commonwealth people are today all much more conscious of the impacts that can result from an uncaring approach to the global environment. Climate change, which 20 years ago Commonwealth governments agreed to address and prevent, is now adversely affecting people everywhere. Sea-level rise, droughts, floods, and shifting seasonal patterns threaten traditional ways of life across the Commonwealth.  We know that forests are vital in overcoming these challenges, not only through their ability to store carbon, but also in managing water flows and providing a sustainable source of fuel, food, building materials and fibre. And yet we are continuing to destroy our forests.

Commonwealth Forests is a wonderful new resource, but with a hard-hitting message. It reminds us in an objective and concise way that we are not learning the lessons of the past fast enough. Deforestation across the Commonwealth between 2000 and 2005 continued at a rate of more than 25,000 square kilometres per year, more than one third of the world total of 73,000 square kilometres. This represents a loss of 0.31% of the forest estate every year, compared to the world average of 0.18%. The biggest losers are in Africa (1.08% overall forest loss per year) where Nigeria (3.3% per year), Uganda (2.2%) and Ghana (2.0%), all countries with a proud history in Commonwealth forestry, seem intent on converting their natural heritage and adding to the global burden of greenhouse gas emissions at a time when forests are ever more vital to their people and to the world climate.  In Asia, Pakistan (2.1%) and Sri Lanka (1.5%) are apparently not far behind. These trends need to be reversed, and they can be. In India, New Zealand and UK the forest estate appears to be steadily increasing in size.    

Another disturbing trend revealed by this book is the decline in opportunities to train the foresters of the future. Just when we need them most, forestry schools across the Commonwealth are being closed down and amalgamated with other disciplines. This trend has to be reversed if the professionals we need to conserve and rebuild our forests are to be available in years to come. Our failure to value forests properly, and to build those values into national accounts and budgets, is largely to blame for the continuing undervaluation and overexploitation of the forest resource. Countries like Papua New Guinea are setting the pace in calling for the value of standing forests to be taken into account, both nationally and as part of a global resource. Meanwhile Guyana is breaking new ground in sustainable, community-led forest management in the Iwokrama rain forest.

Commonwealth nations must stand together and work together to reverse the decline in world forests. Commonwealth Forests provides the baseline material for a plan of action that has eluded us for far too long.

Dr Mark Collins

Director, Commonwealth Foundation, London.