FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) is a body to certify and promote the environmentally and socially responsible use of the world’s wood reserves.
Timber and other wood by-products, like paper, can be easily identified by consumers and manufacturers as a product of either properly managed woodland a recycled source or a mixture.
Deforestation
Every year an area the size of the Republic of Ireland has its trees chopped down and the land used for another purpose.
Climate Change
Loss of the world’s forests not only contributes to an increase in greenhouse gas emmisions, it removes the beneficial effect of carbon sequestration that new tree growth would otherwise produce.
Animal Habitat
60% of the world’s population of animals live in forests and woodland.
That’s more than all the other habitats including the seas, oceans, rivers and lakes put together.
Preserve the forests or pollination and many vital processes will halt.
FSC-certified forests must be managed to the highest environmental, social and economic standards. Trees that are harvested are replanted or allowed to regenerate naturally. The forests must be managed with due respect for the environment, the wildlife and the people who live and work in them. This is what makes the FSC system unique and ensures that a forest is well-managed, from the protection of indigenous peoples’ rights to the methods of felling trees. FSC is the only forest certification scheme endorsed by environmental NGOs such as WWF.
Human to Tree Ratio
It is impossible to be certain because nobody has counted the total amount of trees accurately but this number is around 50. The figure sounds a lot but you only have to go back a couple of centuries and it was more like 8000. This is due to population growth and deforestation, especially in the last 50 years.
Around 50% of the world’s forests have already been destroyed, clearly this is unsustainable.
Ensure you use FSC certified timber for all woodwork projects and manufacturing.
Very informative article. You have mentioned a lot of stats which are really helpful in understanding the topic. I am looking forward to more awesome content in the future.
Thanks very much for your kind comments. More topics on the way!