Is sustainable forestry a myth or a reality?

Photo: Pixabay/Valiphotos

Sustainable forestry is the response to damaging ecological practices, but many believe it is a myth because the negative environmental impacts outweigh the positive ones.

While it is true that some industries can be damaging to the environment, there are plenty of ways to counteract that with positive behaviors. Sustainable forestry is achievable if people give forests the proper care they deserve.

Sustainable forestry is the practice of maintaining and protecting the forest and its wildlife. Since forests are such a critical part of life on Earth, keeping them safe is vital. Many things contribute to the life span of a forest. People can aid the forest in many ways to keep it stable and flourishing.

Many areas worldwide face issues created by unsustainable forestry. The forests are essential to life on Earth, but people are not ensuring they last. They are responsible for reducing almost 40% of fossil fuel emissions, which positively impact the climate.

People are responsible for keeping the Earth healthy, but and forests are critical to counteract their effect on the climate. Other issues also contribute to unsustainability. Logging, pesticide use and improper waste disposal can negatively affect forests. Sustainable forestry detects and responds to environmental threats.

It is necessary to protect crucial aspects of the environment, such as:

• Wildlife: Animals and insects play many vital roles in the environment. Sustainable forestry is necessary to preserve their habitat.
• Water: Water is an essential part of life. Soil erosion and improper waste disposal threaten sources of clean drinking water and aquatic animals.
• Trees: There are many species of trees only native to specific locations. They are also critical for producing oxygen, providing animals shelter and positively affecting the climate.

Wildlife, water and trees are not the only aspects of sustainable forestry, but they are the largest. Each plays a key role in helping the environment and the climate. In addition, they rely heavily on each other. Forests can only be sustainable if people keep them balanced.

What is the problem?

Many people believe there should be more industries that practice sustainability. That is challenging because many are necessary, even though they negatively affect forests. For example, all forms of paper production would halt after only 6-18 months without the logging industry. Systems that are critical to daily life are contributing to unsustainable practices.

Further, only some industries are being held accountable for their impact. In 2022, the Canadian government published climate reports detailing the carbon offset of replanted forests. Crucially, it counted the offsets like they were fully-grown forests.

Trees take decades to mature, meaning their published data about climate health is skewed. Plus, saplings cannot filter as much carbon as adult trees, which further adds to the issue. More organizations must be held responsible and given clear guidelines on how they can affect the forest.

Is enough being done?

Sustainable forestry is necessary if the forests are going to be protected. It may not seem like it, but many people are helping maintain them. Even if they cannot be fully protected, there are measures to prevent further damage and preserve critical aspects.

There are ways that industries and individuals can work toward sustainability:

• Forest regrowth: Logging companies can plant trees to replace what they cut.
• Sustainable harvesting: Trees can be selectively harvested instead of clear-cutting to lessen the effect on the surrounding ecosystem. Local organizations can also protect forests to minimize the impact of logging.
• Wildlife protection: Wildlife should be monitored and cared for when necessary. Human intervention can protect endangered or threatened species.
• Carbon offsets: Sustainable energy and new forest growth can offset carbon emissions.
• Sustainable careers: An environmental college major can help future generations create a better environment.

Every small effort to protect resources and wildlife contributes to a better environment. Each solution is great on its own, so they make a significant impact combined. One of the most important aspects of sustainable forestry is harvesting. Wood is a replenishable resource, but only when people replant it. Loggers have to plant new growth to maintain balance in the forest.

They can also sustainably harvest trees if they cut them selectively. The logging industry has machines specifically for processing trees that can meet their particular requirements. They can outfit these machines with attachments to further specialize them. Specialized forestry machines could help to harvest resources sustainably.

Properly selected trees can also greatly benefit the surrounding environment. They can contribute extra resources later on because the ecosystem is not as affected as if it had been clear-cut. For example, logging companies can leave trees alone near rivers or slopes.

Vegetation along bodies of water stabilizes soil and provides shade to aquatic animals. Keeping them there is more sustainable because it ensures new growth and a balanced ecosystem.

Can we achieve sustainable forestry?

It is achievable to harvest resources from forests sustainably. As an example, the logging industry can continue to harvest trees as long as it does so responsibly and offsets its impact in various ways.

Regrowing forests is not necessarily the answer. Logging companies should still plant trees to replace what they cut down, but it is not something the climate can rely on. It may be what many consider when they think of the wood and paper industry, but there needs to be a more significant effort. There is more to the forest than trees.

Wildlife, soil and water are just as essential to sustainable forestry as they are. Many focus on the impact of various industries on the forest, but they should instead focus on proactive work. For example, strengthening slopes and preventing soil erosion can have a significant, positive impact. Beyond that, people must take care of the environment and take accountability when they do not.

Sustainable forestry is not a myth; it is possible. There might be obstacles to ensuring they remain protected, but it is easier than it seems. Accountability and monitored growth will go a long way in maintaining the ecosystem and protecting the climate.