Sustainable harvesting helps mitigate the impacts of climate change – a fact confirmed by the International Panel on Climate Change, among many others. An article published last week on CNN.com explains how, shedding light on a little-understood benefit of the forest products we all use.
Aging trees become increasingly vulnerable to fire, insects and disease, intensifying the harmful climate impacts of these disturbances. We significantly limit these risks when we harvest mature trees in a sustainable manner. As CNN’s article puts it, “mature trees can be felled while they are healthy, the wood can be put to good use, and new trees can be planted in their stead, effectively multiplying the carbon absorption potential of a given piece of land.”
As the forest regenerates, the growing trees capture carbon. (All harvested areas must be regenerated, per Canadian federal and provincial regulations as well as the international standards we adhere to). Carbon is also stored within long-lived forest products, like lumber and books. Another crucial way forest products contribute to a low-carbon future is by reducing the use of fossil fuels and other non-renewable materials. As CNN points out, “wood can often substitute for construction materials that take significant emissions to produce, namely steel and concrete.” The forest products sector also uses cutting-edge science to bring innovative wood-derived materials to market, further displacing emissions-heavy materials.
The International Panel on Climate Change affirms that “sustainable forest management aimed at providing fibre, biomass, non-timber resources and other ecosystem functions and services, can lower greenhouse gas emissions and can contribute to adaptation. Managing forests in a sustainable way can maintain or enhance forest carbon stocks and maintains forest carbon sinks.”
The “sustainable” in “sustainable forest management” is key here! All of the forest lands under Resolute’s management are third-party certified and audited annually by independent certification bodies. Forest certification and fiber tracking help to ensure the sustainability of our fiber supply and other forest values, including biodiversity conservation and ecosystem services. Strict adherence to internationally recognized forest management and chain of custody (CoC) standards provides our customers with the assurance that our wood fiber originates from responsible sources.
To learn more about Resolute’s forestry practices, visit our website.