Forests and Timber Industry
Saira Rizwan
December 12, 2007
Illegal logging is compounding deforestation problem manifold. It needs to be regularized in accordance to the effective protocols including China Forest Trade Network (CFTN) program which is part of Global Forest and Trade Network (GFTN) to help restore lost forests and avoid further loss.
With the current deforestation rate, the world is losing a forest equivalent to a soccer field every two seconds. If Deforestation continues at this rate, there will be no forests left in the world for future generations. The shrinking forests are affecting our water reservoirs that are becoming unhealthy for human consumption and leaving our air unfit for breathing. It is also adversely affecting wildlife habitat, resulting in food and water shortages for animals and birds. That in turn is leading to their extinction.
These changes are causing an increase in events of natural disasters such as growing number of violent storms, hurricanes, tornados, cyclones coupled with floods. The rising temperatures are adding to increased Global Warming. Experts opine that increased timber logging to meet growing wood demand across the globe.
China has turned into a hub for mass production of cheap wood supplies for international market. It is attracting illegal timber from countries like Russia, Malaysia, Indonesia, Burma, Papa New Guineas and Cameroon. Reportedly, in addition to catering to growing domestic needs with 20 percent world’s population China’s exports of finished wood products to United States and Europe have increased by 1000 and 800 times respectively. These exports include flooring, furniture and timber used in house hold construction.
As part of ‘green earth’ efforts many steps have been taken to control deforestation. To end illegal logging the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), part of United Nations organization has introduced a program known as GFTN. This membership program allows countries to cut trees legally as per agreed protocol. China under CFTN is also part of GFTN. The signatories of protocol are expected to follow proportionate logging in which for every tree that is cut three to five trees have to be planted. Similarly, cutting of young forests is prohibited and loggers are encouraged through education and assistance to grow and log special varieties for business purposes. That in turn will help preserve natural forests.
However, there is a difference of opinion about expectations from signatories of the protocol over logging and plantation of trees and the protocol itself. According to one interpretation, the protocol expects the world to conserve forests as well as provide economic and social benefits for the people and the businesses that depend on them. And protocol doesn’t deal with cutting trees.
CFTN has promoted already established FSC as credible forest certification system in which firms are encouraged to do business with responsibly committed members of CFTN including loggers. It is expected that this approach will help control illegal logging. It is opined signing of CFTN membership by two major Chinese timber companies will accelerate WWF’s efforts to save millions of trees from illegal logging. However, a lot more needs to be done in this field before we can have a sigh of relief.
At individual level, people can play a role to help save forests. In this regard, individuals should stop using wood paneling for floors and walls. Similarly, experts should also review and cut current use of wood as buildings material. We can also participate by buying certified products displaying approved symbols to help eliminate use of illegal timber in housing sector, furniture industry and ordinary markets at the global level.
In addition, steps should be taken to switch daily household activities including cooking, heating and lighting to alternate energy. Germany, Denmark and even China have made remarkable headway in this field. Three major German cities are successfully using solar energy for heating and cooking. Countries like India, Bangladesh are using solar and biogas energy for lighting and cooking purposes. Solar panels have almost become standard items in modern British houses and the number is growing. It is time UN, agencies and professionals take necessary steps to help ordinary people switch over to alternate energy use by bringing down the prices and increasing public awareness. It will help reduce pressure on deforestation especially in developing world where most of the daily household chores related to cooking and heating are carried out by burning wood.
Finally, illegal logging is compounding deforestation problem manifold. It needs to be regularized in accordance to the effective protocols including GFTN program being run by WWF to help restore lost forests and avoid further loss. Without concrete efforts our future generations may never get a chance to enjoy the natural beauty that nature has bestowed upon us to enjoy. In this regard, both US and Europe need to play their role in regularize imports from countries procuring cheap timber logged outside CFTN parameters. Similarly, GFTN should play its role to help enhance awareness about illegal logging, its adverse affects at global level including climate change to the public in general and South Asian countries in particular. The governments of these countries be pressed and supported to provide sustainable alternates to the communities dependent on illegal timber industry.
With the current deforestation rate, the world is losing a forest equivalent to a soccer field every two seconds. If Deforestation continues at this rate, there will be no forests left in the world for future generations. The shrinking forests are affecting our water reservoirs that are becoming unhealthy for human consumption and leaving our air unfit for breathing. It is also adversely affecting wildlife habitat, resulting in food and water shortages for animals and birds. That in turn is leading to their extinction.
These changes are causing an increase in events of natural disasters such as growing number of violent storms, hurricanes, tornados, cyclones coupled with floods. The rising temperatures are adding to increased Global Warming. Experts opine that increased timber logging to meet growing wood demand across the globe.
China has turned into a hub for mass production of cheap wood supplies for international market. It is attracting illegal timber from countries like Russia, Malaysia, Indonesia, Burma, Papa New Guineas and Cameroon. Reportedly, in addition to catering to growing domestic needs with 20 percent world’s population China’s exports of finished wood products to United States and Europe have increased by 1000 and 800 times respectively. These exports include flooring, furniture and timber used in house hold construction.
As part of ‘green earth’ efforts many steps have been taken to control deforestation. To end illegal logging the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), part of United Nations organization has introduced a program known as GFTN. This membership program allows countries to cut trees legally as per agreed protocol. China under CFTN is also part of GFTN. The signatories of protocol are expected to follow proportionate logging in which for every tree that is cut three to five trees have to be planted. Similarly, cutting of young forests is prohibited and loggers are encouraged through education and assistance to grow and log special varieties for business purposes. That in turn will help preserve natural forests.
However, there is a difference of opinion about expectations from signatories of the protocol over logging and plantation of trees and the protocol itself. According to one interpretation, the protocol expects the world to conserve forests as well as provide economic and social benefits for the people and the businesses that depend on them. And protocol doesn’t deal with cutting trees.
CFTN has promoted already established FSC as credible forest certification system in which firms are encouraged to do business with responsibly committed members of CFTN including loggers. It is expected that this approach will help control illegal logging. It is opined signing of CFTN membership by two major Chinese timber companies will accelerate WWF’s efforts to save millions of trees from illegal logging. However, a lot more needs to be done in this field before we can have a sigh of relief.
At individual level, people can play a role to help save forests. In this regard, individuals should stop using wood paneling for floors and walls. Similarly, experts should also review and cut current use of wood as buildings material. We can also participate by buying certified products displaying approved symbols to help eliminate use of illegal timber in housing sector, furniture industry and ordinary markets at the global level.
In addition, steps should be taken to switch daily household activities including cooking, heating and lighting to alternate energy. Germany, Denmark and even China have made remarkable headway in this field. Three major German cities are successfully using solar energy for heating and cooking. Countries like India, Bangladesh are using solar and biogas energy for lighting and cooking purposes. Solar panels have almost become standard items in modern British houses and the number is growing. It is time UN, agencies and professionals take necessary steps to help ordinary people switch over to alternate energy use by bringing down the prices and increasing public awareness. It will help reduce pressure on deforestation especially in developing world where most of the daily household chores related to cooking and heating are carried out by burning wood.
Finally, illegal logging is compounding deforestation problem manifold. It needs to be regularized in accordance to the effective protocols including GFTN program being run by WWF to help restore lost forests and avoid further loss. Without concrete efforts our future generations may never get a chance to enjoy the natural beauty that nature has bestowed upon us to enjoy. In this regard, both US and Europe need to play their role in regularize imports from countries procuring cheap timber logged outside CFTN parameters. Similarly, GFTN should play its role to help enhance awareness about illegal logging, its adverse affects at global level including climate change to the public in general and South Asian countries in particular. The governments of these countries be pressed and supported to provide sustainable alternates to the communities dependent on illegal timber industry.
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