14 DAY TRIAL // Ninety million acres (364 217.078 km²) of Southern hardwood forests, and 600,000 acres (2 428.11385 km²) in 11 endangered forests and special areas in the Mid-Atlantic Coastal Eco-Region, have recently seen their chances of survival grow, after the Atlanta-based Georgia-Pacific (GP) has announced that “it will no longer purchase trees from endangered forests and special areas, or from new pine plantations established at the expense of natural hardwood forests.”
This is one impressive commitment, coming after 6 years of talks between GP and other leading environmental groups, including the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), Dogwood Alliance, and Rainforest Action Network (RAN).
The deforestation problem is getting really serious in the US (and all over the world too), even though most people are unaware of it, so this is a huge step is tackling it.
For those who didn't know, in Brazil and Indonesia, there is actually a lower percentage of forest loss, compared to the United States and Canada.
Debbie Hammel, NRDC Senior Resource Specialist, said that “no other US company has demonstrated this level of initiative in mapping unique forests across such a broad region.
“Through this process, GP has proven that – by harnessing scientific advances and seeking conservation guidance – corporations can help protect unique places without sacrificing profitability.”
Danna Smith, Executive Director of Dogwood Alliance added that “Georgia-Pacific has shown real leadership on issues of critical importance in the South.
“At the same time, our forests are not completely out of harm’s way until other companies also agree to protect them.
“We will continue to urge the companies that are lagging behind to take action to protect unique places on the Southern landscape and end the conversion of natural hardwood forests to plantations.”
GP is one of the biggest wood and paper products companies in the Southern United States – the largest source of wood and paper production in the world.
According to information received by Planetsave “the South’s natural forests are home to more plant and animal species than anywhere else in North America.
“They also help protect the drinking water for millions of people and naturally eliminate carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
“Yet less than two percent of the region’s forests are protected, and the South produces more wood and paper than any other place in the world.”
With a bit of luck, the NRDC, RAN, and Dogwood Alliance decision will get other companies to follow.