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The UN's Sustainable Goal 15, "life on land' focuses on protecting, restoring, and promoting sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems. This is done by creating strategies to manage forests effectively, combating deforestation, and halting and reversing land degradation and biodiversity loss.&nbsp;But why do forests matter?Forests are our secret weapon against climate change as they help filter and absorb approximately 2.6 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide from the environment. However, the United Nations <a href="https://www.fao.org/in-action/en/">Food and Agriculture Organization</a> (FAO) estimates that the annual rate of deforestation is about 1.3 million square km per decade. So if we don't take action now, we will soon run out of forests and potentially lose the battle against climate change.&nbsp;The SGDs 15, "life on land' promotes the sustainable management of all types of forests, halting deforestation and restoring degraded forests.&nbsp;Let's break this down a little further.&nbsp;&nbsp;<h1>Understanding Deforestation</h1>Deforestation is the purposeful clearing of forested land, done by controlled burning or cutting down trees. Deforestation is often done for economic purposes, either to make room for agriculture and animal grazing or to make space for building homes and factories. Sometimes it is also done to use the wood for fuel-burning or construction. Deforestation is not a new practice. Ever since human civilization started, deforestation has happened one way or another, dramatically altering landscapes around the world.One of the most dramatic examples of modern deforestation is the Amazon Rainforest in South America, where twenty percent of the forest has been lost to deforestation over the last forty years. Why? Deforestation of the Amazon is due mainly to an increase in the demand for timber and soy farms. More specifically, soy production in Brazil is the largest contributor to the deforestation of the Amazon rainforest, both directly through forest clearing for new soy farms and by displacing other smaller farmers who then move into forest areas for subsistence agriculture.&nbsp;TIP: Perhaps something to consider next time you drink soy milk or eat vegan soy 'meats' - always read the label. Can you narrow down where the soy was harvested and if it followed sustainable farming practices?&nbsp; &nbsp;<h1>Forest Stewardship Council&nbsp;</h1>The Forest Stewardship Council is an international non-profit, multistakeholder organization established in 1993 that promotes responsible management of the world's forests. The FSC, for short, is a global network of members, staff, certificate holders, promotional license holders, and responsible consumers. The FSC regulations help to ensure that forests and forest products are used responsibly, shifting the global forest trend towards sustainable use, conservation, restoration, and respect for all. In addition, the FSC manages the "gold standard" certification of ethical production; this means that any business or company that obtains an FSC certification is trusted as one that is doing its part to sustain forests and prevent deforestation.&nbsp; &nbsp;<h1>Why you should look for the FSC symbol on wood and paper products</h1><a href="https://youtu.be/D0p0oyTh_c8">https://youtu.be/D0p0oyTh_c8</a>For more information about the FSC, please visit <a href="https://uk.fsc.org/what-is-fsc">https://uk.fsc.org/what-is-fsc</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<h1>What Can You Do to Help?&nbsp;</h1>There are many things you can do to take action and prevent the loss of more forest areas around the world.&nbsp; &nbsp;Keep Informed. As always, knowledge is power, and the more you know and share your knowledge, the more we can work together toward healing the world. So share your knowledge with friends and family, make a video or a presentation or work on a poster or leaflet and ask an adult if you can place it on a bullet board at school or community area.&nbsp;Read the labels whenever you buy a new product. Knowing where your food and clothing come from and making conscious choices when it comes to buying makes you a conscious and ethical consumer. Look for things like the FSC certification, fairtrade, no animal cruelty, and organic certifications on the back of the product packaging.&nbsp;Avoid using paper unnecessarily. Opt for cloth napkins when possible, use recycled paper or scarfs for gift wrapping, writing digitally (iPad, computer, etc.)&nbsp;Clean your local parks and forests*. Organize your own or join an existing clean-up event to sustain the ecosystem of your local green space. *pro tip from the UN website&nbsp;Don't use Palm Oil or products with Palm Oil. Unfortunately, palm oil is present in many foods we eat. Again, reading labels is always a good habit to develop and helps you make conscious choices.&nbsp;Only buy what you need. Sometimes, it is easy to buy more than we need, to have things "just in case" or for another day. However, if we keep things simple and minimal, we are doing our part to protect the environment and use only the resources we need.&nbsp; &nbsp;We have mentioned this before. However, it is always important to remember that you have the power. Your power as a consumer is vital to stopping deforestation. The more we demand products made out of palm oil or soy, the more these will be produced. Fortunately, more and more environmentally and forest-friendly businesses are making changes to help stop deforestation.

To win the battle against deforestation, we need to start planting the seeds for a better future, from taking care of our forests to our daily actions. Learn more here!

Planting Tomorrow's Seeds 

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Palm oil has been and continues to be a significant driver of deforestation of some of the world's most biodiverse forests, destroying the habitat of already endangered species like the Orangutan, pygmy elephant and Sumatran rhino.&nbsp;And guess what? Palm oil is in nearly everything – allegedly found in 50% of all packaged products in supermarkets. So next time your parents go grocery shopping, look at the list of foods your family purchases. Read the labels. How many of those have palm tree oil? Are there any substitutes you can swap these products for? Did you know they contained palm tree oil? Head over to https://www.rainforest-rescue.org/topics/palm-oil and find out how you can help avoid palm tree oil demand.

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As you probably know, everything we consume today starts its journey to the consumer as a natural resource. Natural resources are raw materials provided by Mother Earth, such as oil, coal, natural gas, metals, stone, and sand. These materials are often used as the base to create the things we use and consume daily. Other natural resources are air, sunlight, soil, and water, which also aid in sustaining the economy, helping us grow and produce food, energy, and clothing.&nbsp;All-natural resources are also part of an ecosystem living in balance and harmony. When we interfere with the Earth's natural harmony, we can create an unbalance, which can lead to catastrophic events and, in some cases, the extinction of a species.&nbsp;<h1>What is an Ecosystem?&nbsp;</h1>An ecosystem is a community of living and non-living organisms interacting in perfect balance in a particular geographical area. Like communities of people, ecosystems have a structure and a system in which each group member has a job to do.There are different types of ecosystems, often named after their location. Each ecosystem has a different structure and function. These include:-Terrestrial ecosystem&nbsp;-Forest ecosystem.-Grassland ecosystem.-Desert ecosystem.-Tundra ecosystem.-Freshwater ecosystem.-Marine ecosystemFor example, look outside your window. Where do you live? What is the temperature like where you are? What kind of jobs do people have in that area?&nbsp;Can you see how the weather and terrain can change how your ecosystem works? For example, suppose you live on the coast, by the sea. Livelihoods will depend on fishing, tourism, and sea-related activities. People's activities will involve surfing, swimming, and fishing. Boating is likely popular, and tourists might visit during the warmer months. However, if you live in the mountain, local jobs, activities, and climate will determine what people do. Likewise, ecosystems are influenced by their climate, terrain, and inhabitants.&nbsp;<h1>Why are Ecosystems Important?&nbsp;</h1>Ecosystems support all life on Earth. Therefore, the healthier our ecosystems are, the healthier the planet and its people are. With this in mind, the UN initiated the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration Program. Led by El Salvador and working together with over 70 countries, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) proclaimed 2021–2030 as the Decade on Ecosystem Restoration on March 1, 2019. The program aims to prevent, halt, and reverse the degradation of ecosystems on every continent and in every ocean.&nbsp;The 2022 theme, Only One Earth, highlights restoration's importance, encouraging all nations to work together towards a greener and more sustainable future. But we need your help. By becoming part of #GenerationRestoration, you can be part of the revolution toward a cleaner, happier world.&nbsp;So now that you know what an ecosystem is, let's see how we can help protect and restore ecosystems by implementing small changes.&nbsp;<h1>How can you Help Protect and Restore an Ecosystem?</h1>Be a Conscious Consumer: ask yourself if you really need that new pair of jeans? Those sunglasses? or that new video game? Are there ways to buy second-hand, recycled, or make your own? If the answer is definitely yes to a new product, make sure you do some research beforehand and find out more about the production process for that product. Is it sustainable? is the brand responsible for the environment and the local communities? Become a conscious and responsible consumer; encourage your friends and family to research and evaluate before buying new products.&nbsp;Plant Trees: A simple yet effective way to restore the natural environment is to plant trees. You can start small by planting trees in your backyard, local community, or school. Or perhaps by asking your parents to join programs or local charities that plant trees on your behalf. For example, ecologi.com is helping carbon offsetting by planting trees for a monthly subscription fee. Or with <a href="https://rippleafrica.org/">Ripple Africa</a>, you can support forest conservation by contributing toward their tree planting project in Malawi and providing a long-term solution to fighting deforestation in Africa.&nbsp;Join or organize a beach clean-up or forest trail, or local park. The important part is to help keep natural areas clean. For example, many bird's nests have been found to contain plastics and cigarette buds; this happens because birds will use anything they find to build nests. By making sure our parks, beaches, and forests are clean, we can prevent this from happening. Ask your parents to help you find a local organization and join a beach/park clean. For example, in Barbados, <a href="https://www.mindfultravelbarbados.com/join-a-beach-sea-clean-up/">Join a Beach Clean Up</a> is making incredible efforts toward marine life conservation.&nbsp;Learn &amp; Share: the best thing you can do is learn and share. Head over to your school or community library or ask your teachers at school where to find more information about ecosystems and biodiversity. Learn about your local ecosystems and the impact human consumption might have on them. Learn how you can help mitigate change and start sharing your knowledge. Knowledge is power. &nbsp;

We together can build a more sustainable future by being responsible consumers who live in harmony and restore the ecosystems. Be part of #GenerationRestoration and create a more suitable future. 

Become Part of the #GenerationRestoration 

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Head over to this website <a href="https://www.decadeonrestoration.org/publications/ecosystem-restoration-playbook-practical-guide-healing-planet">Ecosystem Restoration Playbook. A practical guide to healing the planet | UN Decade on Restoration</a> and download the Ecosystem Restoration Playbook. The 21-page guide describes approaches to restoring eight key types of ecosystems – forests, farmlands, grassland and savannahs, rivers and lakes, oceans and coasts, towns and cities, peatlands, and mountains. Use this playbook as inspiration to find how to become part of #GenerationRestoration. Be part of the global movement to restore ecosystems everywhere for the good of people and nature. Share your actions with us online! We would love to hear more about your ideas.&nbsp;Video: <a href=" https://youtu.be/v6ubvEJ3KGM ">Ecosystem Ecology: Links in the Chain - Crash Course Ecology #7</a>&nbsp;

Did you know the world's forests are home to more than 80% of all terrestrial species of animals, plants, and insects? So not only are forests the inspiration for books and mystical fairy tales, but they are magical places filled with unique life and diverse ecosystems.&nbsp;However, according to the United Nations, between 2010 and 2015, the world lost 3.3 million hectares of forest areas due to deforestation and land being claimed by cities to build more housing. This is why the UN introduced Goal 15, Life on Land. This goal looks to promote sustainable management of all types of forests, stop deforestation, restore degraded forests and substantially increase reforestation globally.&nbsp;Faced with the climate and biodiversity emergencies, the United Nations has declared 2021-2030 as the <a href="https://www.decadeonrestoration.org/">UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration</a>. The goal is to work hard to reverse centuries of damage to forests, wetlands, and other ecosystems. Getting it right will be vital to putting the planet back on a sustainable course.&nbsp;<h1 style="text-align:justify;">Deforestation</h1>Deforestation, also known as forest clearance, is when we remove trees and forests to make space for non-forest use structures like farms, houses, or urban development.&nbsp;Deforestation has been increasingly growing since the 1960s by human development and population growth. As a result, deforestation has negatively affected natural ecosystems, biodiversity, and the climate for decades.&nbsp;<h2 style="text-align:justify;">Primary Causes of Deforestation</h2><ul><li>Agricultural Activities: to grow vegetables and cereals&nbsp;</li><li>Livestock Ranching: Livestock is responsible for about 14% of global deforestation. Farmers often clear the land by cutting down trees and burning them to raise livestock and grow food.&nbsp;</li><li>Illegal Logging: cutting of trees in none authorized areas to produce firewood and use it as fuel, and in some cases, to supply the high demand for wood by wood-based industries such as furniture, paper, etc.&nbsp;</li><li>Urbanization: making more houses, malls, schools, and roads.&nbsp;</li><li>Mining: Oil and coal mining requires a considerable amount of forest land.&nbsp;</li><li>Forest Fires: hundreds of trees are lost each year due to forest fires around the world. It happens due to hot summers and milder winters. Fires, whether caused by man or nature, result in a massive loss of forest land cover.</li></ul>Research shows that lands managed by local communities suffer less degradation. To empower local communities, we must recognize the right to a healthy environment and create better laws, infrastructure, and financial aid to facilitate this.&nbsp;Does your school or community offer any opportunities to plant trees in nearby areas? If so, why not get involved and help the planet one tree at a time. And if there aren't any current local tree-planting events, why not start your own? Start small with friends and family in their gardens and homes and see how many trees, bee-friendly flowers, and plants you can all plan together.&nbsp;&nbsp;<h1 style="text-align:justify;">Reforestation: Ecosystem Restoration&nbsp;</h1>Reforestation is when communities intentionally restock existing forests and woodlands that have been depleted, usually through deforestation. In simple words, it is when we actively and purposely plant trees.&nbsp;Restoring ecosystems via reforestation is an excellent (and fun) solution. Not only does it slows climate change, but it often brings back lost biodiversity - that is, insects and animals back into living in those areas. However, trees are most likely to thrive in places where they are used to growing naturally. For this reason, it is usually best to plant trees that are natural to the area you are reforesting. It also helps the ecosystem thrive naturally and keeps invasive plants or animals at bay.&nbsp;Video: What is Ecosystem Restoration? <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XhjN8Xux2I4 ">Take a look</a>&nbsp;

Goal 15, Life on Land. This goal looks to promote sustainable management of all types of forests, stop deforestation, restore degraded forests and substantially increase reforestation globally. 

The Forests of Tomorrow: Plant a Seed, Grow a Tree

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Thinking Cap OnThe 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference, also known as COP26, will be held in Glasgow, Scotland, between 31 October and 12 November 2021. In there, world leaders will have the opportunity to accelerate progress towards the Goals by stepping up their efforts to fight the climate crisis.&nbsp;Head over to the United Nation's Voices for Change <a href="https://voicesforchange.world/">website</a> and record your message. Do you want more trees planted? Do you feel we can do more? Have your say.&nbsp;The leaders of today want to hear the voices of tomorrow.&nbsp;Alternatively, make a little video with your parent's permission and tell us what changes you expect to see for the world to be more sustainable. Then share it with us on social media, tag @diproinducafoundation.&nbsp;We love to see and hear your contributions and ideas for a green and sustainable future.

For humans and many of the earth's inhabitants, everyday life happens inland. We play, live, eat, and build our homes in the land that surrounds us. Without land, forests and ecosystems, life on earth would be more challenging for us.&nbsp;For hundreds of years, humans have learned how to co-exist and take the necessary resources needed to sustain life from the land they live in. However, in the last few decades, our rapid growth and expansion have threatened many land ecosystems and have endangered many living plants and animals. We need to do better because there is no planet B. Earth is our home, and we need to be conscious of how we use and distribute the available natural resources.&nbsp;With this in mind, the United Nations have created goal 15, Life on Land, with the mission to "Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss".&nbsp;To do this, the UN has proposed to work globally to end deforestation and restore degraded forests.<h1>&nbsp;</h1><h1>Deforestation</h1>Deforestation is the permanent removal of trees, animals and vegetation to make room for something other than forest. The area is often converted to non-forest use or human-made structures.&nbsp;Deforestation can involve the conversion of forest land into farms, homes, scientific, or urban use. It can also include clearing land for using the trees for fuel, construction or manufacturing.&nbsp;According to The Global Forest Resources Assessment 2020 - Drax, the world has a total forest area of 4.06 billion hectares, representing 31% of the world's total land area. However, the world has lost 178 million hectares of forest since 1990, which is an area about the size of Libya.More than half (54%) of the world's forests are concentrated in five countries – the Russian Federation, Brazil, Canada, the United States of America and China.<h1>&nbsp;</h1><h1>Brazil's Amazon: The Shrinking Tropical Forest&nbsp;</h1>According to the National Institute of Space and Research (INPE), 11,088 sq km (4,281 sq miles) of rainforest were destroyed from August 2019 to July 2020. This shows an increase of 9.5% from the previous year.The Amazon has served humans for hundreds of years as a source of food shelter and by helping clear the air from CO2 emissions. The Amazon is also home to about three million species of plants and animals and one million indigenous people.Over the past half-century, plants and soil have consistently absorbed around 30% of human-made CO2 emissions, even as those emissions increased by 50% over that period. However, this is now taking its toll, as researchers reported to the Nature Climate Change journal recently that from 2010 through 2019, Brazil's Amazon basin gave off 16.6bn tonnes of CO2 while drawing down only 13.9bn tonnes.&nbsp;The Amazon basin contains about half of the world's tropical rainforests, which are more effective at soaking up and storing carbon than other vegetation types. However, the shrinking forest can't cope anymore. We are growing too fast too soon while the forest is becoming smaller and weaker.&nbsp;<h1>&nbsp;</h1><h1>Strategies How to Reduce and Prevent Deforestation</h1>How can you help fight the impact of deforestation? Small little changes can have a huge impact when we all work together; you can start by implementing the following strategies:&nbsp;<ol><li>Plant a tree or get involved in planting trees in your school, community or home.&nbsp;</li><li>Use less paper; Two million trees are cut every day to supply the paper demand of the United States. Try using electronic devices instead, like an iPad or a computer, to take notes, rather than always printing on paper. Or you can try making your paper. We will share more of this below.&nbsp;</li><li>Use recycled paper, cardboard, and any other recycled materials whenever possible.&nbsp;</li><li>Look for the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification on any wooden products. Products with this stamp come from sustainably managed forests and not from illegal logging.&nbsp;</li><li>Avoid products that contain palm oil. A large amount of the world's palm oil comes from Indonesia and Malaysia, where the virgin rainforest is being cleared at an alarming rate of 2.4 million acres a year to make way for new plantations. Read food labels to ensure the products you consume are palm oil-free. Talk with your parents or adults who make the buying decisions about the importance of avoiding ingredients that harm the environment.&nbsp;</li><li>Raise awareness at home, school, church or local community about deforestation and the importance of our land ecosystems.</li></ol>&nbsp;<h2>Sources for more info</h2>BBC Video <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av-embeds/55130304/vpid/p07gcvb8">https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av-embeds/55130304/vpid/p07gcvb8</a>Document <a href="https://www.drax.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/CA8753EN.pdf">https://www.drax.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/CA8753EN.pdf</a>&nbsp;

For humans and many of the earth's inhabitants, everyday life happens inland. We play, live, eat, and build our homes in the land that surrounds us. Without land, forests and ecosystems, life on earth would be more challenging for us.

Brazil's Amazon: The Shrinking Tropical Forest 

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Thinking Cap OnHave a look at the websites of the following international organizations that help fight deforestation around the world:&nbsp;<ul><li>Greenpeace</li><li>World Wildlife Fund</li><li>Rainforest Action Network</li><li>Rainforest Alliance</li><li>Conservation International</li><li>Amazon Watch</li><li>Arbor Day Foundation and many more.</li></ul>Find out if there is a way you can get involved with any of their programs or create a video/drawing/presentation/website/social media account with your findings to help create awareness in your local community.&nbsp; &nbsp;