全球森林面積連年縮小，不過聯合國14日公布一項報告表示，由於經濟繁榮與森林管理得當，亞太等地區正扭轉近世紀以來森林消退的趨勢。
聯合國糧農組織副秘書長哈查里克（David Harcharik）表示：「許多國家修訂政策與立法，並且強化林務機構的運作，充分顯現政府改善森林管理的政治決心。」組織的報告同時顯示，《京都議定書》自2005年生效後，新進投資森林管理來減緩氣候變遷的進度，並不如預期樂觀。哈查里克則一語道破，高度的貧窮與內戰，大幅阻礙國家在永續經營森林的努力，進而喪失多處森林地，其中又以非洲與拉丁美洲的情形最為嚴重。
糧農組織希望透過政治支援與努力，來遏制非洲的森林消退，同時借助拉丁美洲新興網絡的力量，扼止野火，並且提升現行的管理機制，預料將大為改善兩地的森林管理系統。報告指出，經濟成長、強化林務機構，以及提高市民社會參與決策的權利等，皆是有助於保護森林的條件與措施。然而，森林仍無時無刻受到盜伐、蟲害與病害的威脅；而人類的交通、旅遊與貿易，正好有助這些森林害蟲無所不在。
The world’s forests are shrinking yearly overall, yet a United Nations report released Tuesday shows that in Asia and the Pacific regions, centuries of deforestation are being reversed due to effective forest management and economic prosperity.
"Many countries have shown the political will to improve forest management by revising policies and legislation and strengthening forestry institutions," said FAO Deputy Director-General David Harcharik. At the same time, the FAO reports, new investments in forests to mitigate climate change lag behind the optimistic expectations of many following the entry into force of the Kyoto Protocol in 2005. Harcharik pointed out that countries facing the most serious challenges in achieving sustainable forest management are those with the highest rates of poverty and civil conflict. Africa and Latin America and the Caribbean faced the highest losses in forest area.
The FAO expects that forest management will improve in both regions, due to political support and commitment to stemming deforestation in Africa and newly formed Latin American networks to fight fires and improve current management mechanisms. Economic growth, strengthened forest institutions and increased participatory decision-making will help to protect forests. However, illegal logging is growing in some areas, and forests are also threatened by insects and diseases. The spread of pests, to which forests are vulnerable, is facilitated by transport, travel and trade.
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In my healing journey and learning to attain the breath awareness, I become aware of the reality that all the creatures of the world are breathing the same breath. Take action, here and now. From my physical being to the every corner of this out of balance's planet.
