全球森林覆蓋地球三分之一的土地，對人類健康產生深遠的影響。森林不僅直接提供豐富的食物、藥用植物和燃料，更間接支持我們的生計和健康。同時，森林透過淨化空氣、調節水資源和吸收二氧化碳，有助於緩解氣候變化的影響。森林活動還有助於減輕壓力、焦慮等，來提升人類的心理健康。
然而，眼下森林正面臨著嚴峻的挑戰，包括非法的森林砍伐、氣候變化和都市化等問題。這些問題可能導致森林減少，進而降低森林對人類健康的貢獻，例如森林土地的變化與林產物的減少，可能造成居住在森林周邊社區的居民飲食轉變，與傳統飲食相差很多，這個現象就可能造成該社區的居民肥胖問題。同時，森林生態系統的不平衡也可能導致疾病傳播的風險。例如，土地景觀的改變和道路設施，增加人類與野生動物的接觸，可能造成瘧疾或伊波拉病毒等疾病的蔓延。
為確保森林對人類健康的持續貢獻，我們應該朝著永續經營管理森林資源的目標邁進。長期監測和制定良好的政策是確保森林健康的重要步驟。唯有健康的森林，我們才能確保森林永續地為人類提供健康和福祉。
Global forests, covering about 33% of the land on Earth, exert a profound influence on human health. Beyond directly furnishing abundant food, medicinal plants, and fuel, forests indirectly support our livelihoods and well-being. Furthermore, forests play a role in mitigating climate change by purifying air, regulating water resources, and absorbing carbon dioxide. Engagement in forest activities contributes to stress alleviation and anxiety reduction, promoting mental health.
However, forests currently confront severe challenges such as illegal logging, climate change, and urbanization. These issues pose a threat to forests, diminishing their impact on human health. Of particular concern is the dietary shift in rural communities, significantly deviating from traditional diets and potentially leading to obesity issues. Simultaneously, the imbalance in forest ecosystems may elevate the risk of disease transmission.
To ensure the sustained contributions of forests to human health, we must strive for the sustainable management of forest resources. Long-term monitoring and the formulation of robust policies are essential steps in guaranteeing forest health. Only with healthy forests can we ensure the sustainable provision of health and well-being for humanity.