“This year the United Nations International Day of Forests falls on 21 March. It will be marked under the theme ‘Forests and Food’, which is also highlighted in a video* by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), produced with help from the Finnish Forest Association,” says Kai Lintunen, Head of International Communications at the Finnish Forest Association.

The role of forests in the food supply is often overlooked, which is why it is so important to emphasise it. Today's world faces complex problems, including conflicts, emergencies, the challenges created by climate change and the impact of the C-19 pandemic, which in turn cause economic shocks and downturns as well as disruptions to international supply chains.

In many places where aggression and war prevail, forests often serve as a food safety net in emergencies. Whether it is a failed harvest, a natural disaster or a conflict that breaks food supply chains, forests offer an alternative source of nutrition and livelihood.

Forests cover one third of the world's land area and are home to roughly 80% of the world's terrestrial biodiversity. Almost one third of the world's population depends on forest resources and opportunities for their livelihoods, food and nutrition. Forests support people in a variety of ways, providing nutrient-rich food, income, employment, energy and ecosystem or nature services.

Forests are like nature's supermarkets, both producing and offering fruit, seeds, roots, mushrooms, berries, honey and protein-rich game. These are important nutrients that would otherwise be out of reach. Forest ecosystems also serve agricultural, livestock and fisheries production by regulating water flows, protecting the soil, ensuring nutrient cycling, pest control and pollination.

Free access to food in many European countries

Forests are close at hand for many Europeans, not just for Finns. In Finland, people live about 700 metres from the nearest forest. That is the average figure – and it makes sense, as forests cover 75% of Finland's land area.

This means everyone has an opinion about forests. Forest topics are debated, sometimes quite fiercely. Picking mushrooms and berries is an everyday activity. Mushrooms and berries, along with various herbs, are very important components of the European diet.

Despite the fact that forests are easily and freely accessible in many countries, they are still underused. At present only a small share of the potential is harvested; the greater riches are still left in the forest. There is room for improvement in this area.

Game animals and hunting also play a significant role in European forest food production. Game is a rich source of protein. Hunting serves several purposes, including the management of wild animals and the reduction of damage caused by them. Hunting also has enormous economic significance. There are around 7 million hunters in Europe, delivering economic benefits estimated at 16 billion euros.

A fascinating but largely unknown category of forest-derived food products, made particularly in Europe, is wood cellulose extracts, which are used in toothpaste, ketchup and mustard, where they affect how the product flows. In other words, it is thanks to carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) that ketchup or mustard comes smoothly out of the bottle when we need it. CMC also gives various juices their consistency and texture. In pharmaceutical products such as tablets, CMC is used as a filler to bind the ingredients together.

In recent years the trend towards local food, natural products and small-scale production (home producers) has been growing worldwide, including in Europe, and the situation is developing positively. It is very important for the forest sector to join forces in promoting the various aspects of sustainable forest use.

Thanks to production cooperation, the video* also features products harvested in northern forests. Symbolically, a Finnish forest, lingonberries and an elk introduce the theme of the world's forests and the food they provide. The importance of sustainable forest management for forest health and productivity is also emphasised. The video has been distributed through international news channels in more than 140 countries.

To meet the demand for food, materials and energy, it is essential to use land, water and biomass efficiently and productively. The development of the bioeconomy and biotechnology sectors and their application in agriculture, health, chemistry or the textile industry is a classic example of the bioeconomy at work. Research, science and innovation are expanding the boundaries of what we can do with forests, as well as the many uses and benefits they offer.

Through communication and explanation we can change consumer behaviour. Perceptions need to change, and the use of nature-based solutions to replace fossil raw materials needs to be increased and accelerated. We need to create appealing stories that are relevant and meaningful to people in their everyday lives. Sir David Attenborough, the British broadcaster, biologist, natural historian and writer, put it very well when he joined Instagram: “Saving our planet is now a communications challenge.”

* https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lDb7DYR8lrA

https://forest.fi/blog/the-united-nations-international-day-of-forests/