Some lessons learned and still to be learned about the role of forests and urban green areas during the COVID-19 pandemic

Forests and green areas proved to be crucial and unexpected allies in the struggle against the COVID-19 pandemic. Indeed, urban and suburban green areas acted as propelling centers of public health during the most severe periods of lockdown. The exploitation of forested areas also contributed to mitigating the economic impact of job losses during the pandemic. This study specifically focused on the lessons that still need to be learned and suggested possible strategies for strengthening the lessons learned from COVID-19. Based on our investigation, we found that the use of urban green areas is significantly dependent on cultural and socioeconomic factors, and the increased interest in suburban green areas suggests a generally insufficient level of urban green spaces. Moreover, the exploitation of forests favored greater illegal deforestation in economically depressed countries, which led to biodiversity disruption and the further impoverishment of natural wood resources. First, as many citizens as possible, across different age, gender, cultural and socioeconomic conditions, should be encouraged to maintain the healthy habits that they developed during the pandemic. This may be accomplished by making cities more inclusive through the promotion of societal values, social cohesion and awareness campaigns. People should be encouraged to benefit from suburban green areas through increased connectivity between cities and their surrounding natural zones. Moreover, the promotion of the sustainable use of forested lands will contribute to not only ecological but also economic recovery through the creation of green jobs. Therefore, the greatest lesson of the COVID-19 pandemic is something that we have always known: equity is the guiding principle for a more resilient world.