More support for forest protection as a climate change mitigation strategy

A new report from Simon Fraser University in British Columbia, Canada has used government data to determine that protecting old growth forests makes the most economic sense when considering the value of endangered species habitat and carbon storage. In most scenarios assessed by the authors, forest protection delivered a better economic return than could be obtained through logging and timber revenues.

Canada's National Newspaper, the Globe and Mail wrote an editorial today responding to this report and a recent announcement by Abitibi Bowater to certify three of its forests to the Forest Stewardship Council standard. The message of the Globe and Mail editorial: Trees are better alive than dead!

Materials:
Media release of the report
Report
Globe and mail editorial