The Benefits We Derive From the Forest

THE BENEFITS WE DERIVE FROM THE FOREST

by Antonio C. Antonio

December 11, 2013

We will certainly have different thoughts when it comes to what benefits we get from the forest based on the actual benefits we derive from it.  Some of us might even have mixed mindsets about the forest and forest products depending on the other preoccupations (employment, livelihood, business, associations, etc.) we are engaged.  Culture and background play a big role in the formation of attitudes towards the forest and forest products.

Some will say that the benefit we get from the forest is hard to quantify while some will even argue that the actual benefits vary depending on the financial capacity of an individual to avail of these benefits.  I believe that this is not so.  There is more to the timber, lumber, fruits, plants (medicinal and decorative), etc. that the forest provides.  The single, most-important, benefit that is the air we breathe.  Air has no price tag... and so the poor and the rich alike partake of this benefit without reference and preference to their social or financial standing.  Again, air, like water and fire, is an element in this world that cannot be quantified.

Air, however, can be qualified.  The degree of pollutants in the air can be measured.  Sadly, pollution (particularly air pollution) is anthropogenic and, therefore, manmade.  While we care less about the air pollution we cause, we largely depend on the forest to make up for this careless neglect.  But then we also neglect our forests and has caused upon it denudation, deforestation and degradation.  So where does this bring us?  We expect our forest to provide clean air and (generally speaking) health for us when we don’t seem to care for the health of our forest?  This is a peculiar case wherein we want to be cared for by someone/something who/which is sicker than us.  And this is just the tip of the iceberg... we’re not even talking (yet) about biodiversity and the countless life forms that also depend on a healthy forest.

We have to make people around us aware of the following critical facts:

1.     That, we all want to live healthy lives;

2.     That, to live healthy lives, we need good quality air;

3.     That, we should understand that the forest plays an important role in providing this quality air that we need;

4.     That, we have to acknowledge that we are largely to blame for the rapidly deteriorating state of the forest;

5.     That, as a remedial measure, we have to protect and nurture the forest for it to sustainably provide for our health needs; and,

6.     That, in doing so (protecting and nurturing the forest), we are ultimately protecting and nurturing ourselves and the other life forms that also depend on the forest.

Charles Robert Darwin once said: “Nothing exists for itself alone, but only in relation to other forms of life.”  Let’s learn from this undeniable truth spoken by a great mind.

Just my little thoughts...