Forests help save both lives and property. We need to protect our forests to help reduce the impact of disasters, like floods and earthquakes. 

Natural disasters appear to be on the rise. The number of people killed by earthquakes, floods, and hurricanes has increased by more than 65 percent in the last 20 years. Scientists estimate that more than 478,000 people were killed in disasters such as tsunamis between 1994 and 2003, according to a UN report. In 2004, the Indian Ocean tsunami led to the deaths of more than 280,000 people—the most recent natural disaster to make headlines. The forest conservation community must learn from this devastating loss of life and ensure that forests can play a role in reducing people's vulnerability to natural events such as tsunamis.

Mangroves can save lives. In some cases, well-established mangrove forests and coastal tree plantations offered an effective physical barrier against the tidal waves of the tsunami. The tsunami has also shown that forests are important in post-disaster recovery--by providing timber for the reconstruction of homes and fishing boats, on which the livelihoods of tens of thousands of families depend. It also confirms that poor mangrove clearance for uncontrolled shrimp farming and tourist development needs to be brought under control; coastal zone development would benefit from sustainable forest restoration and management activities; and whenever possible, post-disaster reconstruction should use timber from responsibly managed forests.

Scientists in France believe that trees can be used to protect buildings from earthquakes. By placing buildings behind rows of trees, certain seismic waves, known as Love waves, can be diverted away from the surface of the Earth. The forest works like a metamaterial- an artificial structure used to deflect electromagnetic radiation.

Earth's forests are home to more than 80% of all land-dwelling species. Trees provide us with the oxygen we need to survive, and they also give us food, shelter, furniture, medicines and many other things that make our lives possible. They also help regulate climate change by absorbing CO2 from the atmosphere. But forests are under threat. According to the World Wildlife Fund, "The world's forest cover declined from 31 percent in 1600 to less than 8 percent today. Many countries have taken action to stop deforestation and protect their forests, but much remains to be done.

There are many ways we can save our forests. One of them is that we can conserve trees and forests in our area. The others are we can plant more trees, buy forest-friendly/ certified products such as shade-grown coffee, demand better labeling of products, so we know if they are certified and sustainable. We should also advocate for climate change solutions and visit forests often to gain knowledge and love for it. We should also teach kids about forests to get them interested in caring for the environment.