The same pattern has repeated itself throughout history all over the world. Growing populations, excessive consumption, the use of wood for energy to process nonrenewable resources, deforestation, soil erosion and resulting famines have led to economic and social collapse. When societies fail to live sustainably they come crashing down, even the greatest ones. Forests play a leading role in sustaining human populations and providing a good quality of life, a lesson we can learn from the ancient Mesopotamians and Greeks. Using the products of forests in a sustainable matter has always been a challenge for civilizations, including ours.
Sustainable forestry is a modern concept and several definitions for it that are evolving.
It's important to note that sustainable forestry includes humans in the equation and provides for the wise use of forest products. Maintain the structural and functional integrity of the forest as an ecosystem. Meet the diverse needs of the human community. Commit the technological, financial and human resources needed for implementation. But foresters can only do so much.