In this Edition: Vietnam is increasing its forest area by one percent every year. In Finland, one of the leading countries of sustainable forest management...Forestry and the forest industry in a green economy ... Mapping Forests — The Path to Green Growth… Forests for food security and nutrition… Russia’s Far East: pathway to sustainable forest industry… Soil carbon and climate change… Adaptation to climate change through land and water management… Changing Landscapes of the Mediterranean… Taking stock of Panama’s forests

Vietnam is increasing its forest area by one percent every year. In Finland, one of the leading countries of sustainable forest management, destruction of forests is expressly prohibited by law. More than 90 percent of the sellers of forest produce are women. Russia’s far east is the ground of one tenth of the world’s forests that are threatened by illegal logging.

These are only some of the facts included short, informative videos by the FAO forestry communication team. Beautiful footage and discreet background music make the documentaries appealing to watch and the information easy to take in. The films are between 8 and 11 minutes long and available on youtube. Click on the links below to watch.

European forestry innovation: charting a path towards a green economy

This film highlights how Finland is setting an example in sustainable forest management and how the many and varied innovations emerging from Finland’s forestry sector can help, not only Finland, but the rest of Europe, in achieving the goal of greening their economies. Wood, unlike fossil fuels, is a renewable resource, because trees regrow as the result of seed sowing, replanting and natural regeneration. Finland’s work in developing innovative wood products, is demonstrating how wood can be used as a greener option not only in traditional industries such as construction and pulp and paper production but in fields as broad as energy, pharmaceuticals and medicine.

Forestry and the forest industry in a green economy

An effort is under way worldwide to better manage our planet’s forest resources and better enhance their role in mitigating climate change. Forest loss and degradation in developing countries account for nearly 20% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Monitoring and reducing these emissions has been the key goal for the international community in climate change negotiations. Viet Nam is one example of a country that’s taking important steps to manage and expand its forest resources. Previous loss of forested areas has been reversed and the country is now increasing forest area by about 1% every year.

Mapping Forests — The Path to Green Growth

A vibrant forestry industry can mean a brighter future for nations that pursue modern, sustainable forestry management practices: more and better jobs; lower environmental impact; a carbon neutral industry; and a renewable, sustainable approach to economic development. Viet Nam is receiving help to achieve these very goals from Finland’s government and the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization. In March 2011, these partners launched Vietnam’s National Forest Assessment program, or NFA, to establish an up-to-date and accurate means of assessing the state of Viet Nam’s forest resources. Data on forest biodiversity, environmental carbon stock of the forest, and information on social, economic and other factors related to forest governance will enable Viet Nam’s policymakers to plan for more sustainable forest management.

For the conplete Release, please kindly consult the following link:  FAO short films covering the whole landscape