Understanding Boreal Ecosystems Opening Remarks at the International Conference “Fire in Ecosystems of Boreal Eurasia”, Krasnoyarsk, 29 June – 2 July 1993

Abstract

Communities have always recognized certain lands, such as parks, as belonging to the community as a whole. These common lands were shared and maintained by all. Ehrlich (1988) has proposed a global commons shared and maintained by all of humanity as consisting of the atmosphere, the oceans and diversity of nature. Ehrlich maintains that since we all share these global commons, that we all have the responsibility to maintain them in order to provide security and sustainable development. I add to Ehrlich’s list of global commons, the forests of the world and global economics. Recognition and acceptance of these global commons by the world’s leaders at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development in June 1992 at Rio de Janeiro (the Rio Earth Summit) was marked by the signing of the Climate Convention, the Biodiversity Convention, the Forestry Principles; and our framework for action, Agenda 21. Concern for the world’s forests can be found in each of the agreements reached at Rio. As examples; the Preamble of the Forestry Principles states that forests are essential to economic development and the maintenance of all forms of life, while Principle 4 identifies the vital role of all types of forests in maintaining the ecological processes and balance at the local, national, regional and global levels through … their role in protecting fragile ecosystems, watersheds and freshwater resources and as rich storehouses of biodiversity… Principle 12 states … capacities in education, training, science, technologies, economics, anthropology and social aspects of forests and forest management are essential to the conservation and sustainable development of forests.

Associate Deputy Chief for Research, USDA Forest Service (retired), and President, International Boreal Forest Research Association (IBFRA) (June 1991-February 1994)