Act now to protect forests: sign the #HandsOffNature petition!

Across Europe, environmental laws that protect nature and our forests are currently being rolled back under the promise of “simplification.” In reality, this risks to weaken the very systems that safeguard both people and nature. Forests and other ecosystems are not just resources to be exploited; they are life-support systems. Nowhere is this more evident than in the Alps, where forests are essential for everyday safety and survival.

Healthy forests act as natural shields against avalanches, erosion, floods, and other hazards. Many Alpine communities depend on this protection. Without it, they simply could not exist in their current form. A recent study by EURAC predicts that due to climate change, the area affected by natural disturbances such as wildfires could more than double. This will result in alpine forests less stable, and less capable of fulfilling their protective functions. Therefore, now more than ever, we need regulations that support our ecosystems and prioritize the health of both people and nature over short-term profits.

That is why our colleagues from the European Environmental Bureau started the petition HandsOffNature. We need you to act now and make your voice impossible to ignore! We demand that European leaders defend the fundamental laws that serve people and nature, not polluters’ interests.

Forests operate on long time scales. The decisions we make today will shape their condition for generations. Nature protection policies should not be dismantled - they must be implemented, upheld, and strengthened. 

The quality of life and future of the Alpine region is directly affected by what happens at EU level. Raise your voice and sign the petition now! More information: www.handsoffnature.eu/

Source: https://www.eurac.edu/de/press/der-klimawandel-belastet-die-alpenwalder (de)