Bioenergy: Biomass + Biofuel = 1 Giant Bio-mess
“If all federal incentives for woody biomass energy were combined… biomass demand could roughly equal twice the annual average timber harvest.” – Nathanael Greene, NRDC
“The papermaker’s main interest in ArborGen (the leading research and development company in the US working to develop GE trees) is the potential of modified trees such as cold-tolerant eucalyptus to provide a sustainable source of hardwood for pulp. That becomes more important as the U.S. starts to make biofuels from timber, which may double harvest pressure in the U.S. South.” – International Paper Spokeman
“North Carolina has the potential to be the Saudi Arabia for renewable fuels, and N.C. State University on this research campus has proven that to be a fact,” – U.S. Rep. Bob Etheridge (NC D-2nd District).
As oil and energy prices climb and global demand threatens to overwhelm supply, we search desperately for alternatives to fossil fuels that will allow us to sustain current and growing levels of energy demand and help keep the global economy humming. The list of solutions grows daily; some seem hopeful and others do not. Add to that growing list bioenergy — both burning trees for electricity and converting wood to liquid fuel. Looking at this approach closely shows that it is at best a false solution and, at worst, a disaster for our forests that will exacerbate global climate change.
The forests of the Southern U.S. are a global treasure. These forests house amazing levels of animal and plant biodiversity, provide environments and habitat found nowhere else in the world, comprise a large percentage of total US wetlands and store millions of tons of CO2 as plant-based carbon. Our forests have the potential to support a sustainable combination of wood products companies, forest-based tourism, and cultural resources for local communities for generations to come.
The massive footprint of the Southern paper industry and traditional industrial forestry methods has already damaged that potential. Many forests stand on the brink of disaster — and they are facing an energy industry that sees our forests as fuel rather than as the important communities that make up our biological and cultural heritage. This could push them over the edge.
Imagine if the already unsustainable level of forest management for the pulp and paper industry is combined with large-scale consumption for producing biomass and biofuel. Clear-cutting will increase well beyond current levels, threatening more of our already endangered forests. A greater level of conversion will occur, as natural forests are destroyed to create fast growing tree plantations. More chemicals will be used, harming human health and critical wildlife habitat. Can we really afford to implement this false solution?
Companies like ArborGen — a genetically engineered tree research and development company founded by International Paper, MeadWestvaco and Rubicon — are working fast to develop genetically engineered trees species that grow faster well outside of their natural range in order to cash in on the bioenergy market. ArborGen already has petitioned the US government to release over 500,000 GE Eucalyptus seedlings in seven Southern states — which could spell disaster for our natural forests.
More than 150 bioenergy facilities have been proposed or are already operating in the Southern US. If these all go through it will mean a doubling of clearcutting and conversion of our natural forests to plantations. What drives this development is massive government subsidies at the federal, state and local level which have greedy venture capitalists and other investors salivating. To date, the federal government alone has handed out billions of dollars with little to no understanding of the long-term impacts of these facilities.
The main motivation for investment is to reduce dependence on foreign oil and to combat global warming. Unfortunately when you look closely at the carbon impact of bio-energy you find an impending crisis. Carbon is released when you harvest trees and when you burn them. Using trees for fuel also takes away our best option for storing and sequestering carbon – our forests. Additionally, compared to a new coal burning power facility, burning trees emits more of every category of pollutants except sulfur dioxide.
The smartest investment we could make in this country right now is in conservation and efficiency. We need to protect our forests as vital carbon reserves, increase the gas mileage in our cars and trucks, invest in hybrid and electric vehicle technology, keep up on the maintenance on our current automobiles, increase investment in alternative and public transportation, build smarter walkable and bikeable communities, invest in less intense natural solutions, and look at our own individual habits while working to minimize our carbon footprints.
America is known worldwide for its innovation and great ideas. Now is the time to reinvest in research and development of positive solutions, not get bogged down in false solutions. Our forests and communities in the Southern US and around the world depend on that.
Learn more – read about the environmental and social impacts of bioenergy
Take action – tell the US Environmental Protection Agency to protect our forests and communities from biomass pollution
Donate – support our new campaign to stop this false solution before it consumes our region.
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