Wood Is Green

I have been amazed at the number of people who call themselves environmentalists and know nearly nothing about the environment itself. Their gullible nature, when it comes to nature, leaves them vulnerable to the whims and lies spread by supposed environmental groups who are always on the prowl for tragedies to profit from.

Environmental groups have spread the message that wood is not good, that wood products are not sustainable, that somehow using them kills forests and ruins livelihoods in tropical countries. They have attacked tree farms as a wicked and destructive pastime, and referred to pine plantations as biological deserts. Yet, these same groups have never attacked landowners of cornfields, wheat fields, or strawberry farms, or apple orchards. These “biological deserts” as environmental groups would refer to them, cover millions of acres.

I suppose the need for food has prevented them from profiting by attacking farms and produce. But environmental groups have profited enormously by attacking people who grow trees instead of corn. These same groups have even convinced the public that concrete, steel, and glass are more environmentally sustainable than growing trees. I like many products that are made from concrete and steel, but I have to draw the line when outrageous claims are made about their “green” superiority. It takes a lot of electricity, and therefore a lot of coal, to recycle glass and aluminum and to process iron ore for steel. Using guidelines set by environmentalists themselves, glass, steel, and aluminum are not green, especially if recycled. Here is what “green” looks like if you want to promote glass, aluminum and steel:

Contrast the picture above with this “biological desert” below:

Once something is mined, it is gone and that is why they call it non-renewable. Trees and plants are renewable resources. You can grow them again and again, just like corn. While you are waiting for your tree crop to mature, you can hunt, hike, and enjoy all the benefits that forests bring to life. Trees help clean the air and water, provide habitat for animals and recreation for humans. They can then be harvested and turned into useful things for people (see what trees provide here) and then you can plan another forest, or let nature do it for you in the case of hardwoods.

Fortunately, there are groups who know better and can see through this madness. Wood has a great story to tell and the folks at Wood Is Green are trying to get that message out. If you are not building with wood, you are not being green. Check out their website and help get the message out. They are just getting started, but something tells me this message will resonate loud and clear all around the planet.