You’ve heard the term, but do you know the true facts about deforestation? The makers of paper products do. But trust us: Deforestation and another term you’ve probably heard, clear-cutting, are not what you think. In fact, modern foresters understand that responsibly harvesting trees actually protects our forests—and the day-to-day choices you make can help you do your part in keeping our forests healthy.
Fact 1: Deforestation and forest loss are not the same thing.
Deforestation refers to forests intentionally and permanently being destroyed, usually to convert the land space to nonforest purposes such as agriculture or development. But deforestation is not the only way the planet loses forests—in recent years, 23% of global tree cover loss has been courtesy of wildfire, and disease and insects also lead to tree loss. Depending on how severe the forest loss is, as well as the triggers of that loss, some forests regenerate on their own. Others will need dedicated restoration to bring the forests back to their state of equilibrium and prevent permanent loss.
Fact 2: Agriculture is the No. 1 cause of global deforestation.
Industrial agriculture practices—including livestock grazing, animal feed and crop-based biofuels—lead the way in deforestation. Mining, drilling and urban development also play a role. These industries don’t rely on forest regeneration in the way that the paper industry does, so they don’t have a strong financial incentive to maintain forests. The volume of wood grown in the U.S. is roughly twice the amount that is harvested, so choosing paper products (and recycling them) helps keep that regenerative cycle moving forward.
Fact 3: The areas of the world that consume the most forestry products have the least deforestation.
That may sound like a paradox, but the fact is, the pulp and paper industry relies on forest regeneration for economic stability. That’s why U.S. papermakers are invested in keeping forests thriving, via privately owned and managed forests that are planted with purpose and sustainably harvested. The paper industry isn’t tearing through public lands to stay afloat—90% of the wood used to make the forestry products we use every day comes from these private, sustainably managed working forests, many of which are certified as sustainable. So when you choose those products, you actually help support healthy forest management and regeneration.
Fact 4: Deforestation isn’t the issue in the U.S. (like it is in tropical areas such as the Amazon). The U.S. has more forestland today than it has in the past 50 years.
There are 20% more trees in the U.S. now than there were in 1970, and 18 million more acres of forests have been planted since 1990. That’s not an accident: Today’s forest industries nourish the land that nourishes their bottom line, harvesting less than 2% of U.S. forestland annually. (In fact, most of that 2% is used for wood products such as lumber, with a fraction going to produce paper and paper products.)
Fact 5: Even the World Wildlife Fund recognizes the pulp and paper industry’s role in healthy forests.
Take it from the experts: Paper is part of the solution. “Responsible pulp and paper operations can bring many benefits to forests, local economies and people, particularly in rural areas,” the World Wildlife Fund—one of the global leaders in sustaining the natural world—says of the industry. “Many pulp and paper companies are demonstrating leadership in responsible forestry and plantation management as well as in clean manufacturing processes and recycled content. U.S. consumers can also play a key role in driving responsible forestry through their paper choices.”
Deforestation has plummeted in the past 30 years—but that doesn’t mean you can’t play your part in protecting U.S. forests. The choices you make every day ladder all the way up to the treetops. By choosing paper products, you’re actively supporting forest health. And when you recycle those products, you’re a part of the cycle that will keep our land vibrant, resilient, and sustained.
FAQ: More Deforestation Facts
What are the effects of deforestation?
Among the effects of deforestation are increased greenhouse gases (as trees are no longer around to absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere), loss of wildlife habitats, altered rainfall patterns and water cycles, soil erosion and flooding, and threats to Indigenous communities that rely on forests.
What can I do to help stop deforestation?
On a day-to-day level, choosing products that are sustainably produced can help keep our privately owned forests as forests because it provides a source of income for landowners. Choosing products such as sustainable and recycled paper products, paper-based packaging and responsibly produced wood products supports well-managed forests.
How does the paper industry protect forests?
The paper industry has a strong incentive to protect forests: Without a steady supply of healthy trees and recycled paper products, the industry won’t have what it needs to produce goods. In the U.S., paper products are made from sustainably harvested, privately owned and managed forests, many of which have been owned by families for generations. Here, trees are purpose-planted for paper, and landowners harvest only what they need in order to keep forests healthy and in a cycle of providing raw materials for paper goods in perpetuity.
The paper industry works in partnership with these landowners to protect and preserve their forests and the many benefits these forests provide, like water, carbon capture, biodiversity, recreation and forest products. As an example, major paper and cardboard manufacturers like Domtar, Evergreen Packaging, Green Bay Packaging and International Paper have all been recognized by their industry peers for their forest stewardship efforts. Each have helped qualify privately-owned, small land as certified sustainable forests throughout the U.S. by reducing barriers to certification, like lowering costs.
Is paper bad for the environment, and does it lead to deforestation?
No. Paper production supports the environment and battles deforestation by relying on sustainably harvested materials. The people who own and manage private forests turn to the land as their source of income, helping them cover the financial cost of responsible forest management. As for paper’s impact on the land, after new paper is made, it’s usually recycled; paper is the most heavily recycled material by weight, accounting for 68% of all recycled material in the U.S. This cycle helps support national and global environmental goals. The paper industry is a large buyer of this recycled material to make its products and further the use of our natural resources.
Where is deforestation happening?
Tropical forests are the most endangered forests on earth. Brazilian and Indonesian forests specifically see nearly half of the planet’s tropical deforestation. The good news is that many regions of the globe are seeing a decline in deforestation, resulting in a net decrease in forest loss from 1990 to 2020.
In the U.S., responsible foresters often use clear-cutting, which is sometimes confused with deforestation. Clear-cutting actually helps keep our forests as “carbon sinks,” as the young trees that regenerate in clear-cut areas absorb more carbon dioxide from the environment than more mature trees.
What happens when a tree is cut down for a forest product?
Industries that rely on forest products use every part of the tree. The wood and fibers of a tree are often used for lumber, bringing to life the wooden furniture and construction materials that allow us to live comfortably. Paper products are often made from the byproducts of this process. Because forest industries rely on healthy forests to sustain themselves, the landowners that care for these forests are invested in keeping the land resilient and using every part of the tree to minimize waste.
- Related: The Paper Industry’s Sustainability Story Begins with the Forest
- Related: What Is Sustainable Forestry and Management?
This article originally appeared on Howlifeunfolds.com and was syndicated by MediaFeed.org
Featured Image Credit: How Life Unfolds / Paper Products.
