International Day of Forests is recognized every year on March 21. Forests are the most biologically-diverse ecosystems on land.

Forests include temperate forest, thorn forest, mangrove, sparse trees and parkland, needle leaf forest, semi evergreen and evergreen moist forest, tropical rain forest, freshwater swamp forest, lower montane rain forest, and upper montane forest.

Forests are home and the habitat to more than 80% of the terrestrial species of animals, plants and insects.

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Forests cover one third of the Earth's land mass, performing vital functions around the world. Around 1.6 billion people including more than 2,000 indigenous cultures - depend on forests for their livelihoods, medicines, fuel, food and shelter.

Despite all of these priceless ecological, economic, social and health benefits, global deforestation continues at an alarming rate with an estimated 13 million hectares being destroyed every year. This accounts to 12 to 20 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions, which contribute to our global climate change.

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At this rate, 25 hectares of forest is destroyed by the time an average reader finishes reading this article. This translates to 35 soccer fields or a staggering 50,000 soccer fields a day.

Hence, the International Day of Forests is more so important now than ever as a platform to raise awareness on the importance of all types of forests to humans and the sustainability of the environment.

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Countries are encouraged to undertake local, national and international efforts to organize awareness activities involving forests and trees, such as tree planting campaigns, community-level activities and art, photography or film competitions as well as social media outreach.

You too can create your own awareness initiative by sending out International Day of Forests ecards to your friends and loved ones.