Trees play a vital role in providing natural carbon storage for the environment, helping to sequester it from the atmosphere and helping mitigate climate change. Trees are important in our goal to help stop global warming on its tracks, but the need of our country for wood and other by-products is undeniable. Aside from this, many of our countrymen’s livelihoods depend on the forestry sector. As such, proper management of the aforementioned is of tantamount value.

Sustainable forest management is the holistic approach to the problems that local forests encounter today as it not only focuses on the well-being of the environment but also zeroes in on the needs of the people who directly benefit from it. Among the recommended options to maintain the forests’ health is to harvest mature trees to make way for new ones.

Here are five ways cutting trees can help the environment:

1. It does not release the carbon stored inside

Unless these trees are allowed to decay or burn, the fear of contributing to climate change through cutting of trees is out of the question. Matured trees that are later on processed to become wood products continue to store that carbon and keep it out of the atmosphere for decades. Based on a study, the net CO2 emission of wood recorded only -1,000 kilograms per cubic meter, making it the most sustainable building material option in terms of carbon emissions.

2. Wood as a raw material is renewable

Responsibly sourced wood is the only renewable raw material there is today. This means that trees that are harvested are 100% biodegradable and can possibly be replenished for new growth. If we refuse to cut down trees, we’ll hinder the production of fuel and fiber needed in providing warmth and shelter through the products derived from them.

3. Cutting mature trees provides regeneration

The moment forests become too crowded, there will be increased competition among trees for light and water, which will make them more susceptible to drought and insect attacks. Cutting mature trees provides regeneration, improves the habitat of many species, and maintains forest health in the long run.

4. Sustainable forest management provides livelihood opportunities

Investing in the industry makes way for more jobs in the upland and rural areas as it requires an abundant amount of manpower to harvest and process wood. An increase in Sustainable Forest Management income-generating projects means more revenue to farmers and workers which will provide additional taxes to the government while preserving the environment.

5. Wood produces essential products

Wood products come in many forms such as lumber, paper and pulp, chemicals, food, furniture, etc. One can only imagine life without it, giving up common necessities such as toilet paper and reading materials.

One of the organizations pushing for sustainable forest management is the Philippine Wood Producers Association (PWPA). They believe that by ensuring that there is a balance between the needs of the people and the viability of the forests, a more prosperous and sustainable future for the entire country can be achieved. They continually promote the market of wood, which when harnessed sustainably, can be an important driver for growth and development for many communities, and by extension for the entire economy as well.

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About PWPA

The Philippine Wood Producers Association (PWPA) is the national association of companies, corporations, partnerships, and individuals involved in forest management. It aims to promote the sustainable management of natural and plantation forests that will increase their capacity to supply the wood requirement and enhance their capacity to provide ecological balance for the country. It strives to serve and protect the market of the wood industry against unfair trade practices. By executing events such as the annual Philippine Wood Expo, participating in timber conferences, workshops, and environmental advocacies, it attains the public’s appreciation for its role in the social, economic, and environmental development of the country.

Published: 2019-03-20 17:28:22