The American Forest Foundation created this infographic to illustrate how forests are crucial to the environment of the United States. It explains how forests act as carbon sinks, capturing more carbon than they emit. It details how this is important to the overall ecology of the nation, including its ability to help offset greenhouse gas emissions. The infographic also warns of the consequences should forest land be developed or killed off by climate change, wildfire or pests. It goes on to outline the ways in which people can work to get more out of forests, by such means as increasing urban forests, retaining existing ones and building out of sustainably harvested forest materials.