Last Saturday (21st March) was International Day of Forests – a UN sponsored event designed to raise awareness of the global importance of all types of forests and of trees outside of forests.

Forests are the most biologically diverse ecosystems on land. They also provide shelter, employment and security for forest-dependent communities.

Their role in our battle to mitigate climate change is at last being recognised and was the theme of this year’s day.

Yet despite their great benefits to the planet and the creatures who live on it, we are managing to clear 13 million hectares of forest annually. As a result, deforestation is estimated to account for between 12 – 20 percent of the global greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change.

To mark this celebration, I have relocated my office for the day to a forest, which I am extremely fortunate to have in my own backyard.

In doing so I don’t think I  can add much further to highlighting the importance of forests. Maybe, however,  I can demonstrate that with the wonderful advances in technology, we no longer have to clear land to build offices. Solo professionals don’t need them and many of us can ply our trades from anywhere to anywhere!

And the next the step, perish the thought, is to demolish old office blocks and replace them with parks!

By Chris Gandy – Founder of Cause & Effective. We link exceptional subject matter experts with cause-based organisations making a positive social, cultural and environmental difference