By Jaime Scott, MoveUP Environment Committee member
June 22 marks World Rainforest Day, an initiative to raise awareness about the critical importance of rainforests and the urgent need to protect them. Rainforests, often called the “lungs of the Earth,” produce around 20% of the world’s oxygen and act as vital carbon sinks, helping to regulate the planet’s climate. For unions and workers, this day serves as a reminder that environmental justice is intrinsically tied to social and economic justice.
Rainforests are home to over half of the world’s species, many of which are still undiscovered, and provide essential resources. For some Indigenous communities and local workers, these forests sustain not only their livelihoods but also their cultures and way of life. Indigenous peoples have long been stewards of these ecosystems, relying on them for their food, medicine, shelter, and spiritual practices. Deforestation, driven by illegal logging, agriculture, and industrial expansion, threatens the well-being of vulnerable communities.
Here at home, British Columbia is part of one of the world’s temperate rainforests. The lush coastal rainforests here are critical to both our local environment and economy. These rainforests provide essential habitats for diverse wildlife, clean water, and resources that support workers in various industries. However, these ecosystems face constant threats from logging, mining, and development.
As union members, we have a responsibility to advocate for policies that protect these vital ecosystems. Workers can support sustainable businesses, push for stronger environmental protections, and engage in efforts to reduce the carbon footprint of industries that depend on these natural resources. We can also encourage sustainable supply chains and educate our friends, family, and colleagues about the value of preserving local rainforests.
On June 22, let’s remember that the fight for workers’ rights is intertwined with the fight for the health of our planet. By standing up for rainforests, whether locally in British Columbia or globally, we protect our communities, our livelihoods, and our future.
Photo: Image of a Kermode bear from the Great Bear Rainforest in BC (credit: Paul Nicklen/National Geographic)
More Information
Thursd: World Rainforest Day Acknowledges the Key Role of Forested Ecosystems
EarthDay.org: Honoring Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities on World Rainforest Day
