Through the endlessly sustainable natural process of photosynthesis, forests provide life for many of the world’s living organisms. Add to that the role of trees in storing vast quantities of carbon, protecting the soil mantle and providing shelter for many other plants and animals.
Wood is one of the major end products of photosynthesis in trees, it is a large store of carbon and it provides a rich food source for the many organisms that feed on it, when it is alive and during decomposition.
It is also a raw material of almost unlimited versatility. In its natural form it can be cut, sliced, moulded or otherwise shaped. Broken down into small particles or fibres it can be reconstituted as paper products, packaging and absorbents, building panels and so on. It provides extracts for pharmaceuticals, solvents, foodstuffs, preservatives and liquid fuel. Cellulose, the basic component of wood is a source of fibre/cloth and plastic-like materials.
It is not surprising therefore, that sometimes intense competition exists between the natural and commercial values of forests. Many of the current and future forestry issues are concerned with the retention of the benefits of forests. They include:
1. Carbon sequestration and carbon credit trading
2. Sustainable forest management
3. Genetic modification
4. Global trade liberalisation
Carbon Sequestration
At a UN meeting in Rio de Janeiro in 1990, countries agreed to a broad framework of actions to reduce the level of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. These gases are the accepted cause of global warming and are generated by the decomposition of most organic materials (wood and other plant and animal products) and from burning fossil fuels such as coal and oil-based products. Greenhouse gases, especially carbon dioxide, are absorbed by plants during photosynthesis and stored in their tissues.
The agreement resulted in the Kyoto Protocol which binds countries to targets by which they will reduce their greenhouse gas emissions within a given timescale. The targets not only encourage countries to reduce emissions but also to increase activities that will off-set carbon emissions.
Typical actions are to increase the efficiency of processes reliant on fossil fuels – for example better petrol engines, to discourage wastage and to encourage recycling. As huge removers of carbon dioxide, forests need to be protected from fire and unnecessary destruction for alternative land use.
The establishment of new plantations is another way to reduce greenhouse gas levels and many countries see the potential to trade this absorbed carbon and ‘carbon credits’ with others who are releasing carbon beyond their permitted levels and struggling to reach the targets set by Kyoto.
The Kyoto Protocol came into force early in 2005 but two major players, the United States and Australia have opted out completely. During the first commitment period, 2008-2012, the industrialised countries who are signatories to the Protocol have to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions to 5% below 1990 levels.
For more information visit the Wood & Climate Change section of this site.
Sustainable Forest Management
Logging of natural forest is now almost non-existent in New Zealand – it accounts for less than 2% of all wood consumed – but there is still concern among certain groups that it happens at all.
Through public information campaigns and commercial lobbying, these conservation groups have encouraged wood growers and manufacturers to follow sustainable practices and processes, and institute audit procedures to demonstrate their adherence to them.
Some retailers and merchants of wood products will not accept wood products, unless they have independent certification by recognised agencies, e.g. the Forestry Stewardship Council (FSC), that they are from sustainably grown forests. More than 42% of New Zealand’s plantation forests are now FSC certified and the country is also well advanced in developing its own national standard for sustainable forest management. Once in place, the national standard will be an invaluable international marketing aid for New Zealand plantation timber and wood products.
Genetic Modification (GM)
The agriculture, horticulture and forest industries have over long periods developed certain breeds of plants and animals that grow and yield best. This has involved controlled breeding and crossing of plants and animals with preferred characteristics. The outcome has been species sometimes quite different to their ancestors but very valuable to the economy.
Scientists have now developed techniques that directly incorporate selected genetic material from one organism into another – thus speeding up the process of genetic improvement. New plants and animals with particular disease resistance, vigour and other special properties have already been developed.
There is great public concern however that such practices, unless properly controlled, could create new organisms of unknown quality or capability when released into the environment. Many groups want to totally ban such genetic engineering and are campaigning for a ‘GE Free New Zealand’. Others support the technology only if it is limited and very strictly controlled.
Global Trade Liberalisation
International trade is subject to many checks and balances including: subsidies, taxes and tariffs designed to encourage or limit trade, protect other producers and so on.
New Zealand government policy has been to discourage all tariff and non-tariff barriers and it has taken a leading international position in this regard.
Direct and indirect trade barriers act as a disincentive to countries that have succeeded in minimising costs and maximising efficiency – only to be penalised by subsidies set up to support producers in other countries.
The World Trade Organisation works consistently to reduce controls on trade on the basis that they perpetuate the inefficient use of the world’s finite resources. Free global trade, in theory, should ensure that the most efficient producers are encouraged.