Forests are an essential part of our planet’s biodiversity. They host a wide range of plant and animal species, which have interconnected roles with each other. Forest ecosystems provide us with numerous benefits such as food, shelter, energy, medicine and income generation. However, due to deforestation and the increasing demand for wood supply, we risk losing up to 90% of the world’s original forests by 2030, according to The World Counts. This is alarming as forests cover 31% of the global land area, and many forests are more biodiverse than other ecosystems. More than half of the world’s forests are found in only five countries, namely the Russian Federation, Brazil, Canada, the United States of America and China, and two-thirds of forests are found in ten countries.
Deforestation and the future of our forests affect everyone. Protected areas or governance of forests are not enough to prevent deforestation, and the rise of illegal lumbering shows that regulations alone are not sufficient to protect our forests. ‘Legal’ deforestation for wood, cattle, the beauty industry, and the collagen market is leading to significant deforestation worldwide. Unfortunately, the negative trends in biodiversity and ecosystems will undermine progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals.
To address this issue, we need to make transformational change. Technology is one of the ways we can contribute to the preservation of forests. For example, technologies like AI analytics, inventory mapping, and blockchain can help cut the costs of doing the right thing. Satellite mapping, web3: blockchain, isotope reference testing, and eDNA are some examples of technologies that we can utilize globally to tackle deforestation. With these technologies, we can monitor forests and identify areas where immense deforestation is happening.
More than 80% of people expect companies to ensure their wood and paper products do not contribute to deforestation, according to GlobeScan and the Forest Stewardship Council. Consumers have high expectations of brands when it comes to protecting our forests. Companies are doing their best to meet these expectations, and one of them is FiberLean Technologies.
Our client FiberLean Technologies which we have recently rebranded, is a company that provides sustainable solutions to the paper industry. Their technology, Microfibrillated Cellulose (MFC), enables paper makers to reduce their environmental impact by using fewer natural resources. MFC is a high-performance additive that enhances the strength, durability, and printability of paper products while reducing their environmental impact. By using MFC, paper mills can save trees, reduce raw material costs, and produce high-quality paper products with a lower environmental footprint. FiberLean Technologies is an exemplary company that is contributing to the progress of protecting our forests.
In conclusion, forest biological diversity is incredibly important, and forest ecosystems are a critical component of the world’s biodiversity. We must take steps to prevent deforestation and protect our forests for the sake of our planet’s health and well-being. Technology can play a vital role in addressing this issue, and companies like FiberLean Technologies are leading the way in providing sustainable solutions to preserve our forests.
And we must protect the forests of today, tomorrow and the future.