International Day of Forests
March 24, 2025Nature takes center stage in the month of March.
This March 21, we wish to highlight the International Day of Forests, which we commemorate in a very special context, as it coincides— for the first time— with World Glacier Day, in response to the growing global concern over their progressive retreat.
Glaciers are important water reserves, and water is an essential part of forest cycles. The international organization European Forest Institute (EFI) refers to forests as true “water engineers,” as they contribute through a range of functions such as moderating the erosive force of rainfall, releasing water into the atmosphere from the soil to the leaves through the process of evaporation, contributing to air cooling, and supporting groundwater recharge, among others.
In addition, according to data provided by the United Nations, forests cover nearly 31% of the Earth’s surface and are home to more than 80% of all terrestrial species of animals, plants, and insects.
Therefore, it is important to bear in mind that the degradation of glaciers also has the potential to impact forest ecosystems, the flora and fauna that inhabit them, and the water-related processes in which they play a role. On this day, the call is to seek mechanisms that address nature conservation challenges in a comprehensive and cross-cutting manner.
