WWF Forest Alert: Global Annual Forest Report 97
12/23/97
*******************************
RELAYED TEXT STARTS HERE:
Headline: WWF Forest Alert: Global Annual Forest Report 97
Source: World Wildlife Fund
Date: 12/23/97
Dear List Subscriber,
------------------------------------------------WWF FOREST ALERT----------
December 23, 1997
WWF's Global Annual Forest Report 97
Foreword:
New research by WWF shows that almost two-thirds of the world's original
forest cover has been lost - and of what remains, 94% is unprotected. WWF
is committed to halting and reversing this continuing degradation through
the work of its International Forest Unit and Forests for Life Campaign.
Together with WWF national offices around the world, WWF is running more
than 300 forest projects in over 60 countries.
This is the second of WWF's Annual Forest Reports which looks at progress
made in forest conservation by WWF and its partners during 1997.
Partnerships have always been central to WWF's conservation activity and
this year has been no exception - many new joint initiatives have been
developed with a wide range of partners who are working with WWF to
safeguard the future of the world's forests and the people who depend upon
them.
During 1997, WWF implemented a joint programme of work with IUCN, agreed
common activities with the International Alliance of Indigenous-Tribal
People of the Tropical Forests, increased the number and size of Buyers'
Groups around the world and forged a new partnership with the World Bank
which has made commitments to help implement WWF's Forests for Life
Campaign targets.
Despite these activities, the state of the world's forests continues to
deteriorate. In October, WWF, together with the World Conservation
Monitoring Centre, released new figures for each of the world's forested
regions which show, for the first time, how much original forest cover has
been lost and how little of what remains is protected.
It is quite clear that far greater efforts need to be made by governments
and industry if we are to prevent the virtual extinction of most of the
world's natural forests in the next fifty years. Many NGOs had hoped that
the second Earth Summit, held in New York in June, might lead to
substantive commitments to act to prevent forest loss and degradation
worldwide. However, the meeting degenerated into a stalemate over whether
or not a Global Forest Convention should be established, with little
discussion about what such a document might contain.
The theme of the WWF Annual Conference held in Quito, Ecuador in October
was "People and Conservation". There is now a clear trend that it is local
people and NGOs who are taking the initiative to protect the forests which
are important to them. There are also signs that some businesses and
institutions are willing to help support these actions. WWF will continue
to promote this model of forest protection - local control of local
resources, reaching out to work with those of like mind wishing to ensure
a future for their forests.
------------------------
This is the second of WWF's Annual Forest Reports which looks at progress
made in forest conservation by WWF and its partners during 1997. Visit us
on-line at http://www.panda.org/forests4life/report97/ to view other
segments or to download the entire report.