The Value of Ancient Forests

Life on Earth depends on the vitality of Ancient Forests.

Protecting Ancient Forests is key to solving the interrelated crises of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pandemics.

Also known as Primary Forests, Ancient Forests have an intact ecosystem, undisturbed by industrial activity.

They are home to indigenous stewards whose way of living plays a critical role in protecting the balance, vitality, and conservation of Earth’s biodiversity.

 
 

Ancient Forests are the greatest natural resource for life on Earth.

 
  • Home to 80% of the world’s terrestrial biodiversity.
  • Protects over 2/3 of all terrestrial plant and animal species.
  • Natural quarantine areas.
  • Produces 40% of the world’s oxygen.
  • Source of 3/4 of the world’s freshwater.
  • The greatest source of regenerative biodiversity on Earth.
  • The greatest natural land based carbon drawdown on Earth.
 
 
 
 
What is really needed?

Funding alone is not enough to protect Ancient Forests.

While there is wonderful work being conducted around the world to protect Ancient Forests, we are still falling short. Forests are continually decimated at alarming rates, leading to the exponential increase in natural disasters, pandemics, scarcity of resources, and suffering of humans. 

Conventional social and political perspectives view nature as a commodity, incentivizing the endless consumption and boundless exploitation of Earth in order to feed an insatiable economic system that relies on that agreement.

Effective Transition Programs are essential and possible only through cultivating new conversations, unexpected alliances, and new possibilities. Coherence is the missing piece in our ability to cultivate a forest-friendly economy. 

The state of Ancient Forests

 
78% unprotected
 

Kaiāulu is building coherence by uniting communities, scientists, governments, industries, and indigenous stewards to achieve the permanent protection of all Ancient Forests. 

 

Permanently protecting Ancient Forests is the most effective land-based solution for preserving life on Earth.

The world is facing a multitude of accelerating, existential crises — climate change, species extinction, freshwater pollution, pandemics, and indigenous bio-cultural genocide. At the center of these interrelated crises are Earth’s Ancient Forests.

Climate Change

They are the largest, most stable ecosystem for storing and sequestering carbon.

Pandemics

They are natural quarantine areas. Protecting them from external human disruptions is essential to preventing the spread of zoonotic diseases such as COVID-19.

Biodiversity Loss

They protect over two-thirds of the Earth’s terrestrial plant and animal species.

Participate in the shift towards Global Coherence and help harmonize humanity's relationship with Earth.

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Indigenous Peoples are the World’s Greatest Forest Guardians.

Indigenous peoples are protecting 80% of the world’s Ancient Forests, with deforestation rates dropping 50% lower in their territories.

The United Nations reports that supporting the land rights of indigenous and tribal peoples is one of the most cost-effective strategies to protect Ancient Forests.

These heroic stewards have lived harmoniously with the Ancient Forests for millennia. Their wisdom, scientific knowledge, and guidance are vital to the balance of life on Earth.

Explore our Synchronized Ceremonies.

Photo by Daniel ‘El Suchi’ Garcia, Codes of Nature.

 

85% of Earth's original forests have been degraded.

 
 
 
 
78%

of ancient forests are unprotected

1/3

of Earth's forests have already been lost

27%

of remaining forests are ancient forests

1M

species are threatened with extinction, up 1000%

 

What about all the other efforts to save life on Earth?

There are a multitude of very important efforts going on around the world to protect the vitality of the natural world. And they must continue. However, few of them will gain the necessary traction they need until Ancient Forests are protected.

Each of these crucial initiatives depends on the vitality of Ancient Forests to achieve their mission.

Renewable Energy
Regenerative Agriculture
Carbon Management
Tree Planting
Clean Water
Pandemic Prevention
Ocean Conservation
 

Only 15% of intact, Ancient Forests are left. We are working to protect every last hectare that remains.

 
 

Map data is produced by our partners at IntAct.

When these mighty forests are protected, it benefits the work of everyone contributing to the preservation of life on Earth.