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Our Survival Depends on Forests

Your life is more connected to Earth’s forests than you might realize. Covering 31% of the planet’s land, forests produce the oxygen we breathe, filter the water we drink, and absorb carbon emissions to help regulate global temperatures. They also provide critical habitats for 80% of land-based species and support 300 million people who depend on them for survival.

Despite their importance, forests face increasing threats from deforestation and degradation, primarily driven by agriculture and illegal logging. Without urgent action, the loss of forests will accelerate climate change, disrupt ecosystems, and threaten biodiversity.

Indigenous Communities: The Guardians of Forests

Indigenous people are among the most effective protectors of forests. According to the United Nations, approximately 1.6 billion people, including more than 2,000 Indigenous cultures, rely on forests for their livelihoods, food, medicine, and shelter. Indigenous communities have sustainably managed these lands for generations, stewarding nearly 25% of the world’s land, which is home to over 80% of the planet’s biodiversity.

Protecting the land rights of Indigenous communities is one of the most effective ways to safeguard forests. Research shows that securing these rights could prevent up to 200 gigatons of carbon emissions by 2050. For perspective, one gigaton weighs more than six million blue whales.

However, many Indigenous communities face land dispossession, violence, and destruction of their homes due to corporate expansion. A report from Human Rights Watch details the struggles of an Iban Dayak mother in Indonesia, who lost everything when her home was burned after refusing to sell her land to a palm oil company:

“We heard a loud noise and could see smoke. I went to see, and it was crazy. My house was already burned. Everything was in there—my son’s bicycle, clothes, and all the wood we planned to build a house—all was gone.”

World Centric’s Commitment to Forest Protection

Each year, World Centric gives back 25% of profits to nonprofit organizations around the world addressing social and environmental issues. Several of the nonprofits we support are working to reforest land and protect Indigenous communities:

World Centric Nonprofit Partners:

  • DESPRI: Since 2017 our grants to DESPRI have help fund three critical programs in Haiti, including restoring forest ecosystems, financial inclusion for women, and coastal ecosystem protection focusing on mangroves.
  • Amazon Frontlines: Since 2021, our grants to Amazon Frontlines have helped protect indigenous nations in Ecuador to defend and thrive in their climate-critical territories.
  • Advocates for Community Alternatives: Since 2020 our grants to Advocates for Community Alternatives help fund community-driven development and advocacy for West African communities facing threats from extractive industries like deforestation and mining.

World Centric Staff Giving Recipients:

  • Contour Lines: A nonprofit that uses reforestation and sustainable land management to combat climate change and restore degraded landscapes. By planting trees and implementing agroforestry techniques, they help protect watersheds, improve soil health, and support resilient communities.
  • Green Forests Work: A nonprofit focused on reforesting formerly mined lands in the Appalachian region to restore ecosystems and support biodiversity. Through large-scale tree planting efforts, they improve soil health, enhance water quality, and create sustainable habitats for wildlife.
  • Action for Environmental Sustainability: A locally led non-profit in Malawi dedicated to building climate resilience through sustainable agriculture, agroforestry, and water conservation initiatives. Their programs focus on maintaining wells to combat drought, promoting eco-friendly farming practices, and empowering communities to adapt to climate challenges.

In order to deliver the most sustainable food packaging and tableware solution, we choose materials that reduce reliance on virgin trees by prioritizing annually renewable plant fibers like sugarcane bagasse and bamboo. Our NoTree® cups, bowls, takeout containers, and cutlery are made from tree-free paper, offering an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional paper products. Learn more about our NoTree® collection, here.

Our white paper bowls, cups, and Kraft straws are made with FSC® certified paper from responsibly managed forest. Read more about FSC®’s commitment to sustainability, here.

Ways You Can Take Action

Protecting forests requires collective effort, like supporting organizations that defend Indigenous land rights, choosing sustainable products, and advocating for responsible forest management. Together, we can help safeguard the world’s forests for future generations. Discover small ways you can take action now:

  • Defend forest defenders. Sign the petition.
  • Measure and reduce your carbon footprint using this free calculator.
  • Donate to the organizations mentioned above.
  • Look for the FSC® logo when you shop. The FSC® is an independent, non-profit organization that sets standards and verifications for responsibly managed forests.
  • Choose PCW paper products made from at least 50% post-consumer recycled content, or FSC® certified paper.
  • Stop supporting brands and banks driving deforestation.