Listen to the podcast.

Sustainable Lumber

Rainforests play a critical role in the health of our entire planet, though it’s not always obvious how to those who live thousands of miles away from them. But every time we build a home or buy furniture made from wood that came from a rainforest, we contribute to such problems as global warming, biodiversity loss, erosion and flooding.

That’s why the Forest Stewardship Council – a group of environmentalists, forestry experts, sociologists and groups that live near tropical forests – got together to create a program in 1993 that certifies timber companies for responsible logging practices.

But consumers may be confused by the creation of a second certification program, one created by the logging industry, called the Sustainable Forestry Initiative. This program is weaker than the one created by the Forest Stewardship, since it allows loggers to cut some old-growth forests and replace diverse stands of trees with a single species. Environmentalists argue these practices are not good for the rainforests and should not be recognized as “green” because they mislead consumers into thinking they are buying lumber or products that help protect our planet’s rainforests, when they do not.

Rainforests need old-growth trees and a diversity of species to help perform vital functions. For example, the deep roots of old-growth trees and diverse plant species help to anchor soils during tropical rainstorms, preventing flooding by soaking up rainfall like a sponge. They help to prevent the flood and drought cycles that occur when forests are cleared. This, in turn, protects local communities that rely upon agricultural use of neighboring lands. The rainforests actually help promote humidity, which ensures continued rainfall in the area. When forests are cut down, communities become arid and cannot grow crops.

Rainforests also help to reduce global warming because they absorb more heat than dry soil. Without them, we have less rain, more arid areas, and a reduced ability to absorb the sun’s heat.

Companies that sell certified lumber don’t always distinguish for consumers which program they use. So people who wish to help protect the rainforests – and the planet – through their purchases should ask. They can also visit the Forest Stewardship Council website (www.fscus.org) for information on where to find FSC-certified wood and products bearing the logo that guarantees good environmental stewardship.

For more information about this story, click here.

For information on Green Building and the Forest Stewardship Council certification, visit their site here.

To read more about this and other environmental health issues, go to: www.environmentalhealthnews.org, www.ourstolenfuture.org, or www.healthandenvironment.org