Ontario does have the world’s best forest management practices; however the Ontario forestry community is undoubtedly, a climate change champion. The people of Ontario’s desire to move towards a low carbon economy and the OFIA has taken a leadership role in lowering its carbon footprint. When it comes to reducing greenhouse gasses and sustainable resource use, forestry is quickly gaining recognition as holding enormous potential. The carbon stored in wood remains stored in the products manufactured from our forests like for example paper packaging, construction studs, window frames, doors and flooring in your homes and businesses, by doing so it can last us decades or even centuries. For now the trees that are harvested are replanted while …show more content…
With wood being such a great resource in our own backyard, there are plenty of reasons why Ontario Wood is the natural choice. Not only do the lumber industries here in Canada help out with the greenhouse effect but they also help forests adapt to it. Urban forests improve the quality of life in cities and towns in many ways. Trees do have a positive impact to notable human health benefits like including childhood obesity, reductions in stress levels, as well as other human illnesses. Not only do they have a positive impact on human health, the Urban forests provide many economic benefits as well. For example, they create park maintenance and planning jobs, enhance tourism, and increase property values. Trees also extend the life of municipal infrastructure by preventing erosion and flood damage, and they help reduce air conditioning and heating costs by shading homes and buildings. As great as Canada's urban forests can be, they are being challenged. These challenges are mostly by development of extreme weather events and higher annual temperatures which is putting a strain on health of all kinds of trees and stressed trees face increased risk of disease and insect …show more content…
The greatest aid to conflict resolution also arose as a result of the evolution within society and the forest industry. The rise of forestry science and the systematic management of the forest was instrumental in helping to quell many of the debates. The ability to manage for a host of different values and interests has allowed for the three pillars of a sustainable forest to flourish. The equal values of environment, economy and recreation help to define the sustainable forest industry of Canada. The continuing change in how the broader population views the forest continues to this day. As technology has helped to bring the forest closer through increased information and ease of access, society has never been further away from actual forests. The steady urbanization of our population has created a deepening gulf between the rural lives of our ancestors and our present day selves. These two solitudes; rural and urban, continue to play a major role in public policy and resource and land management. In our wood basket of Algonquin Park, information regarding forestry is sometimes difficult to for people to see through the static of preconceived opinion. This static is an effect of the evolution within our society, as we mechanize and urbanize, we lose touch
These two sides of the issue bring about a major controversy in America today. Should the Pacific Northwest’s old growth forests and the welfare of the Northern Spotted Owl be sacrificed for America’s economy, and the jobs of the people in the logging industry? Which should be placed at a higher value, the forests in the Pacific Northwest and the northern spotted owl, or the American economy and the jobs and welfare of thousands and thousands of people?
When people see new construction or a recently paved road, they often do not realize the sacrifice that was made to create these luxuries. Most people pass some form of construction on the way to their jobs or school every day. This simple fact sparks questions regarding what this area looked like before it was inhabited by humans. Illinois forests have undergone drastic changes in the decades since European settlement. Only 31 % of the forest area present in 1820 exists today. (Iverson Pdf) Tearing down trees to build new structures isn’t bad if done in moderation, in some ways with time and good planning its wonderful. However, anyone that hunts or claims to be an outdoorsman will relate to the incomparable feeling experienced when alone in the woods and far from the hustle of the urbanized world.
America’s federal forest management dates back to the mid 1870’s when Congress decided to create the U.S. Department of Agriculture to maintain the forestry. This environmental department represented the growth in America’s industry and the depletion of forests. Yet, as it was defeating the initial purpose, more natural resources were being lost from their area and the government had not acknowledged the damage. The conservationist Gifford Pinchot, created an impact on society by taking a stand to conserve the natural resources by leading the United States Forest service, embracing scientific forest, and contributed to Roosevelt’s decision to protect wildlife, thus paving the way for natural conservation in the future.
(Kumar et al., 2008a). Globally, 1.3 1010 metric tons of wood is produced by terrestrial
Once forests began to be viewed as beneficial, it opened up a whole new lifestyle. The forests and nature might have been an evil and scary place, but it was a place filled with resources and opportunity. Settlers began using trees and wood in a plethora of ways. Not only was it used for families own use, many began logging forests as a business; a very profitable business at that. Once wood started being used for beneficial purposes, a snowball effect occurred by the settlers to cut down every tree in sight and turn it into a profit.
The controversy over logging, and more specifically clearcutting, is not a new issue in America. Ever since the 1920's and 1930's, when this nation started to become conscious of conservation, citizens have weighed the consequences of logging. Critics have questioned whether the increase in jobs, tax dollars, and economic growth was worth the destruction of forest lands. Regardless of what they believe today, the logging industry had become so efficient that by the late 1980's nearly 100,000 acres of federal land had been clearcut since the industry began. Logging technology has advanced rapidly in terms of speed, to meet the increasing demands for lumber, paper, and other products derived from trees. This in turn has greatly impacted the environment by severely degrading watersheds, leading to increased soil erosion, the diminution in the quality of drinking water, and the decline of fish stocks, among many other consequences. In this essay I will examine the progression of logging equipment throughout the 19th and 20th centuries and discuss how these changes in technology have not only changed the relationship of those who work in the industry, but also haw this has changed the wider relationship of society and nature.
The Western forests are drastically different from what they were like before the European settlement. In pre-European time, the forests were open and park-like with only 25-35 trees per acre surrounded by areas of open grasslands. One could easily ride a horse through the spacious forest. This, however, is not possible in today's forests. Today, for example the Ponderosa pine forests, have over 500 trees per acre, creating thick dense areas of trees, brush, and bushes (President Bush, 4). The pre-European forests were subject to frequent low inte...
Cutting trees would give us, human beings, a less difficult time living. The article, “Tree Loss” states “ People cut down trees to make room for new farms, housing developments, highways and cities. ” I believe that cutting trees would leave space for new trees to grow. In addition, cutting trees would give space for structures and buildings. Also, the article, “ Tree Loss ” states “ Trees are used to make newspapers, computer paper,
Taking wood from rainforests and old-growth forests is detrimental to the environment and society. However, it is possible for us to have sustainable wood if we make an effort.
Perry, D. A. (1998). The Scientific Basis of Forestry, Annual Review of Ecology and System Thematic 29:435-466, Retrieved July 9, 2005 from: http://www.panda.org/about_wwf/what_we_do/policy/policy_and_events/index.cfm
Now, sustainable development and quality of life are crucial to the well being of our nation. Thus, I have pondered many a year on this very important matter and have consulted a very knowing Canadian of my acquaintance at the World Wildlife Fund (WWF). The amount of natural resources in this country being usually reckoned infi...
Salim, Emil and Ullsten, Ola. Our Forests, Our Future. United Kingdom: Cambridge University Press, 1999.
Trees also benefit the environment. They alter the environment in which we live by moderating the climate, improving the air quality, conserving our water source and harboring wildlife. They take in energy from the sun, block the wind, and rain. Trees also control the temperature. In the vicinity of trees is cooler than that away from trees. The larger the tree, the greater the cooling, the better a person feels because they are not in the sun. Air quality is also improved through the use of trees, shrubs and turf. Leaves filter the air we breathe by removing the dust and other particles from the air.
Thomson, Steve. "Saving B.C's Forests through the Trees." The Filipino Post 12-18 July 2012: 12. Print.
One of the most evident problems associated to the environment is the issue of the logging of trees, mainly in undisturbed places such as the Amazon basin. Trees are considered the lungs of the Earth. They recycle all the polluting carbon in the air and return oxygen back into our atmosphere, creating a stable cycle of carbon in our atmosphere. However, the impeccable rates which trees are being cut down in our forests have grown to ever increasing and alarming rates. Trees that are made way for farming are burnt up releasing deadly amounts of carbon and thus leading to the problem of global warming. As its names suggest the world is slowly warming up and without any notice the environment which God has gave us will be slowly eradicated. The daily lives which humans carry on about every day are also a factor influencing on our environment and global warming. By driving cars that have a thirst for petrol we are releasing carbon dioxide and furthermore impacting on the world?s climate. In Australia environmental impact has always been evident. Land clearing especially in places such as Queensland has caused land to lay dry and lifeless where all forms of life is destroyed. By clearing land we are not only affecting our climate but are also destroying animal habitat and the usage of the land. Senseless actions by commuters in Australia, emitting tons and tons of lethal gases vulnerable to the atmosphere are starting to take its toll on our climate. We are seeing a harsher climate and at the same time less rain. If we want to preserve our world we must take a stance on this issue and take action for what is right, not carrying on the actions that will lead to a desolate, destroyed Earth.