Interest in the world's forests has grown to unprecedented heights, especially with growing awareness of their role in the global carbon cycle. The possibility of mitigating climate change by reducing carbon emissions caused by deforestation and forest degradation, and by increasing carbon uptake through afforestation and sustainable forest management, highlights the essential role of forests in supporting life on Earth. But forests are more than just carbon. In 2010 we celebrate the International Year of Biodiversity, and we are reminded that forests represent some of the most diverse ecosystems on Earth. In a time of economic crisis, we are also reminded that forests provide employment and livelihoods for a large proportion of the population - especially in developing countries - and often act as an economic safety net in times of need.