SHENZHEN, China, March 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — This year’s International Day of Forests on March 21, with the theme “Forests and Health”, is a call to humanity and its relationship to the world’s forests and to consider its direct impact on our longevity and well-being.
Many are familiar with the metaphor that forests are the lungs of the planet and know that they exhale clean air and serve as vital carbon stores, thus mitigating the effects of climate change. However, few are aware of forests’ inherent connections to our everyday health.
Did you know?
In addition to being the lungs of the planet, forests are also nature’s pharmacy and pantry.
They supply us with about 25% of the medicines used in Western countries, with over 50,000 plants contributing to modern medicines. A study in 27 African countries showed that children living in forested areas had 25% more dietary diversity, thanks to an abundance of fruits, vegetables, game, fish and edible oils.
But the prognosis for forests is alarming. About 35% of the world’s forest cover has been lost and 82% of the remaining forest cover has deteriorated.
The speed and scale of these threats require committed, long-term intervention.
A story of protection
One way to protect forest ecosystems is to stop illegal logging, which accounts for up to 90% of all logging activity and is a major contributor to global deforestation.
In Similajau National Park, in the Malaysian state of Sarawak, we work with the Sarawak Forest Department and the Sarawak Forestry Corporation to help the government of Sarawak protect its rainforests. In addition to having a rich biodiversity, the park is a sustainable source of medicine and food for the local population, many of whom depend on the forest for their livelihood.
However, illegal logging remains a potent threat, leading to widespread degradation of rainforest ecosystems and loss of biodiversity.
But now there is hope. Guardian acoustic monitors can detect the noise levels of trucks and chainsaws used for illegal logging.
Audio and video surveillance and AI analytics can also help monitor endangered species based on their sounds. By tracking population and occurrence, conservationists can develop accurate conservation measures. Of particular interest are umbrella species, whose well-being is critical to the health of forest ecosystems. Examples of biodiversity monitoring projects targeting umbrella species include Darwin’s foxes in Chile and jaguars in Mexico’s Dzilam State Reserve.
Technology can also trigger smart protection measures in forested areas. In Switzerland, a pilot project by Tech4Nature, in collaboration with the IUCN and the Porini Foundation, is using blockchain to develop a carbon sequestration tracking system that aims to improve the transparency and traceability of transactions involving carbon sinks in forests to use these credits to fund other biological diversity conservation projects.
These are all examples of projects to protect forest ecosystems under Huawei’s TECH4ALL initiative. Together with global partners, technology solutions were developed that include audio and video surveillance devices, communication networks, cloud and AI analytics. These can achieve conservation results that would have been impossible just a decade ago.
As it is scientifically proven that there is a strong link between the health of forests and human health, it is imperative that we keep our forests healthy. Our experience so far shows that this approach works. And this knowledge drives us to continue creating a healthy and sustainable future for ourselves and our forests with our partners.
Learn more about Huawei’s TECH4ALL and Tech4Nature initiatives.
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Questions and contact:
Jinfan Xing,
+86-18998944911,
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