Don't Log the Forests for the Fuel: Dogwood Alliance Releases Paper Calling Tree-based Biofuel a False Solution for Southern Forests
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Dogwood Alliance, released, “Don’t Log the Forests for the Fuel: A
Position Paper on the Potential Environmental and Economic Impacts of
the Cellulosic Ethanol Industry in the Southern United States,”
exposing the false environmental and economic benefits of tree-based
biofuels. Over the last couple of years, policy makers and investors
have been quick to jump on the biofuel bandwagon in hopes of cashing in
on the climate and energy crisis, though little to no research supports
the positive benefits of this fuel. In fact evidence seems to be
mounting to the contrary.
“Between the climate crisis and a
growing dependence on foreign oil we are facing a grim future unless
big ideas and bold policies are enacted. Unfortunately, tree-based
biofuels are a short-sighted and false solution,” said Scot Quaranda,
campaign director for Dogwood Alliance. “At best this is an economic
boondoggle, and at worst, we are setting ourselves up for a disaster
for our forests which will exacerbate global climate change rather than
combat it.”
Key Findings from the position paper, include:
Regions
already known for their forest products are likely to dominate the
market, increasing already unsustainable levels of clearcutting,
conversion of natural forests to plantations, and use of toxic
chemicals in forest management.
Due to the vast amount of
carbon released from Southern forest clearcuts, biofuel production
could actually double the amount of greenhouse gas emissions.
While
it is clear we need to reduce fossil fuel consumption, research shows
that we could reduce global warming pollution two to nine times more by
conserving or restoring forests and grasslands than by razing them and
turning them into biofuels plantations -- even if we continue to use
fossil fuels as our main source of energy.
Total government
support for all biofuels in the United States reached approximately $
6.3"$ 7.7 billion in 2006. Total support is projected to reach around $
13 billion in 2008 and almost $ 16 billion by 2014. Money that could
instead fund critical research into conservation and efficiency and
proven solutions.
Tree-based biofuels, also known as
cellulosic ethanol, is a product that will be produced from pulpwood
and wood chips by converting the cellulose to a liquid fuel. Southern
forests, currently the largest paper producing region in the world, are
projected to be the region in the United States most heavily exploited
for this fuel production. Range Fuels, the country’s first cellulosic
ethanol refinery backed by venture capitalist Vinod Khosla, is under
construction in Soperton, Georgia. Other facilities are currently
planned for Florida and North Carolina.
The forests of the
Southern U.S. are a global treasure, housing critical levels of
biodiversity, unique ecosystems found nowhere else in the world, and
the potential to house a sustainable combination of wood products
companies, forest-based tourism, and provide a cultural resource for
local communities for generations to come. From the Appalachians to the
Ozarks and from the coastal swamplands to the majestic upland hardwood
forests of the Cumberland Plateau these amazing forests stand on the
brink of disaster.
“Not only will the cellulosic ethanol
industry compete with an already unsustainable pulp and paper industry
in the Southern US, it will also cause irreparable harm to the forests
and communities of the region,” continued Quaranda. “This harm will
come in the form of more forest destruction, unsustainable levels of
water use in an already drought-stricken region, loss of critically
important carbon sinks, competition for land better served for food
production, and opening the door to untested technologies including
genetically engineered trees which could contaminate natural forests
with potential untold consequences.”
While tree-based biofuel
may not be the answer, the paper outlines a number of effective
alternatives including conservation and efficiency, research and
development in proven technologies, and everyday steps that individuals
can take to reduce their carbon footprint.
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