Forests are essential for life on earth. Three hundred million people worldwide in forests and 1.6 billion depend on them for their livelihoods. Forests also provide habitat for a vast array of plants and animals, many of which are still undiscovered. They protect our watersheds. They inspire wonder and provide places for recreation. They supply the oxygen we need to survive. They provide the timber for products we use every day... But forests are being destroyed and degraded at alarming rates. Deforestation comes in many forms, including fires, clear-cutting for agriculture, ranching and development, unsustainable logging for timber, and degradation due to climate change. This impacts people's livelihoods and threatens a wide range of plant and animal species. Some 46-58 million square miles of forest are lost each year equivalent to 48 football fields every minute. Deforestation also undermines the important carbon sink function of forests. It is estimated that 15% of all greenhouse gas emissions are the result of deforestation. If we do not protect forests, we will have to suffer more floods and other natural disasters. It is time for you to join hands with me to protect forests for a better world. 1. How many people live in forests? ..................................................................................................................... 2. Are forests important for human-being? ..................................................................................................................... 3. Why are forests important? ..................................................................................................................... 4. What is the impact of deforestation? ..................................................................................................................... 5. What will human-beings have to suffer if human do not protect the forests? .....................................................................................................................