The book describes: forest areas, ownership rights and their management; the socio-economic benefits of forests; existing and emerging threats to forests; and the need to balance competing socio-economic and environmental factors, with sustainable forest management.
17 February 2012: The Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) has made available online its book on forestry in the Pacific, titled, “Foundation for a Sustainable Future,” which was produced to commemorate the 2011 International Year of Forests.
Originally launched in September 2011, the book includes contributions from the SPC as well as from Pacific countries and territories. The book provides information on the value of Pacific Island forests, and the issues and challenges faced by island communities in managing this natural resource in a sustainable manner. It describes: forest areas, ownership rights and their management; the socio-economic benefits of forests; existing and emerging threats to forests from increasing populations, invasive species and climate change; and the need to balance competing socio-economic and environmental factors, with sustainable forest management.
Financial support for the publication of the book was provided by the German Technical Cooperation agency (GIZ) and the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA). [SPC Press Release] [Publication: Foundation for a Sustainable Future]