Environmental tip March: Why forests are essential to our lives
Forests are the green lungs of our planet. They are irreplaceable for the climate and biodiversity and are also an important basis of life for humans and animals. But they are under threat. To mark Forest Day, here are 11 tips for actively protecting forests.
Forests currently cover around 30 percent of the earth's surface, but are increasingly under threat. Many are suffering from the consequences of climate change, while large-scale deforestation continues to take place in many countries of the global South. As a result, the global forest area is constantly decreasing, which has far-reaching consequences for ecosystems and living creatures.
This development is also highlighted by the International Day of Forests, which is celebrated every year on March 21. In 2025, the theme is "Forests and Food" and emphasizes the importance of healthy forests for our food supply. Forests provide an amazing variety of food. Mushrooms, nuts, fruit and wild meat are just a few examples.
To ensure that forests around the world continue to be an important basis for life, everyone can contribute by making small changes in their everyday lives. We have put together eleven tips for you:
In this way you contribute to the protection of forests:
- Reduce meat consumption: Rainforests are often cleared for cattle feed.
- Consume sustainably: Avoid palm oil products, as rainforests are also cleared for these, and opt for long-lasting wood products.
- Save paper: Use recycled paper, even for hygiene products, and avoid unnecessary paper consumption.
- Buy sustainable wood: Look out for seals such as FSC or PEFC.
- Behave respectfully in the forest: Stay on the paths, take your garbage back with you and keep dogs on a lead.
- Do not dispose of garden waste in the forest: non-forest species can upset the balance of nature.
- Support reforestation: Get involved or donate to reforestation projects.
- Share knowledge: Inform yourself about forest protection and sensitize others to it.
- Support protected forest areas: Advocate for the designation of new protected areas.
- Support renaturation: Get involved in restoring destroyed forest areas.
- Give preference to agroforestry products: These combine agriculture with forest protection.
Since 1971, the "International Day of Forests" has reminded us how valuable forests are for our lives. Forests produce oxygen and store carbon, which makes them a decisive factor in stabilizing the climate. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), forests are also the largest freshwater reservoirs in the world. They supply 75 percent of the world's available fresh water.
Further information
- Day of the forest (opens in a new tab)
- Palm oil: one of the most important raw materials (opens in a new tab)
- FSC Germany - Forests forever for all (opens in a new tab)
- Blue Angel - environmentally friendly recycled paper (opens in a new tab)
- Blue Angel - low-emission tissue paper made from 100 percent recycled paper (opens in a new tab)
- German professional association for agroforestry (opens in a new tab)
Contact us
Environmental store
Address
65185 Wiesbaden
Postal address
65029 Wiesbaden
Arrival
Notes on public transport
Public transportation: Luisenplatz stop.
Telephone
- +49 611 313600
- +49 611 313957
Opening hours
- Monday, Tuesday, Friday Saturday: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Wednesday, Thursday: 1 to 6 p.m.