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The map, sponsored by WWF and compiled over several years by the World Conservation Monitoring Project, shows in accurate detail and for the first time the extent and type of the world's remaining forest cover, and how little of it lies in protected areas. It turns out that 94per cent of our forests are at risk. Deforestation is caused not only by factors such as atmospheric pollution, but also by those over which we have more direct control, such as tourist development, agricultural expansion and the activities of the international timber trade. The forest product industry - source of cellulose, newsprint, and so on - is huge and growing. Parts of it do have regular replanting programmes. But one problem is that new plantations do not replace the extremely complex ecosystems of old-growth forests. Forest cover in itself is no guarantee of the quality or health of the trees. Destruction and degradation on the present scale could have grave consequences for our planet, in terms of, for example, global warming, soil erosion, and loss of biodiversity. Around 50,000 species are thought to die out every year, mainly because of the destruction of forest habitat. Forest peoples lose their homes and way of life. It could furthermore be said that the loss of our great forest wildernesses is in some sense a spiritual loss to all of us. Yakutia's Gift to the Earth 'These beautiful virgin lands', writes the President of the Russian Republic of Yakutia, 'are the priceless heritage not only of my republic and Russia but of the whole world.' The opening of WWF's Campaign 2000 in October was marked by President Nikolaev's announcement that his country is to create a nature reserve bigger than France in the northeast Siberian wilderness. This bleak territory of tundra and boreal forest is rich in wildlife. But it is also heavily polluted by mining and industry and at risk from uncontrolled logging. Several of its indigenous species are endangered - including the brown bear, staple of Russian folklore. The Republic of Yakutia pledges complete protection for the reserve by the year 2000. This is its 'Gift to the Earth'. Yet other governments are slow to act. Promises made at the Rio Earth Summit in 1992 have not been implemented. Meanwhile, worldwide, notably in Canada, Africa, Southeast Asia, South and Central America and elsewhere in Russia, uncontrolled logging opens up virgin forest to be exploited, often wastefully and seldom with foresight. Papua New Guinea recently set aside an area over twice the size of France for logging concessions. Tropical forests are shrinking at the rate of 1 per cent per year. In Brazil, where an area of forest the size of Belgium has disappeared since 1992, one timber company official said he didn't care because 'in 30years he wouldn't be here any more'. At this rate, in 60 years, the rainforest won't be there either. Forests for Life Forest conservation is one of WWF's major priorities. Its World Forest Map was the first step in its new campaign, Forests for Life, which urges action where governments and industry have failed. Its aim is to halt and reverse the loss and degradation of forests and all kinds of wooded landscapes (particularly old-growth trees) by the end of the millennium. WWF actively supports the independent certification scheme of the Forest Stewardship Council. This was set up to promote the sustainable management of natural forests, and aims to ensure that timber from such forests is labelled as such and sought by mark ets and consumers. Over a hundred companies in Europe have already pledged their support for the scheme, and demand is growing daily. His Royal Highness Prince Philip, WWF's outgoing President, has agreed to write to every head of state on behalf of WWF's campaign. His action is unprecedented, and a mark of the urgency of the situation. Because a forest is for life - not just for your lifetime, or mine. For further information, contact Alison Lucas, Forests for Life, WWF-UK, Panda House, Godalming, Surrey GU7 1XR, Tel: +44 1483 412 504.
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