Book excerpt: The 2012 edition of State of the Worlds Forests focuses on the critical role that forests play in sustainable production and consumption systems. In this milestone tenth edition of FAOs flagship forestry publication, it is appropriate to take a look back to understand the important role that forests and forestry have played in shaping the world as it is today. This publication has informed readers about the status and changes in the worlds forests, forest products and ecosystem services, and forest policies since the series was introduced in 1995.