|
XML Site Feed:
Click here for URL.
|
 |
|
Canada Protects Boreal Forest
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
contributed by Matt Kirby
Our friends to the north just made a huge leap forward protecting their vast forests and hopefully setting a precedent for the rest of the world to do the same. On July 14th the Globe and Mail reported that Ontario will set aside half of its boreal forest for permanent protection. That’s an area half the size of Texas! That means no mining and no logging. And the other half will be restricted to a “sustainable development” plan that is to be worked out with First Nations, the most prevalent communities in the forest. Canada’s Boreal Forest is the largest intact ecosystem left on Earth and an incalculable asset in the fight against climate change. It is the largest carbon sink per unit area, storing up to two times as much carbon per acre as tropical forest. Conversely, however, if destroyed it has the potential to become one of the greatest carbon emitters. Aside from being merely forest it has a vast network of peat lands and is the third largest wetland in the world. If disturbed these lands have an enormous amount of stored carbon that would be released directly into the atmosphere. This unprecedented, visionary, and collaborative policy deserves applause. Let us hope that it can be recreated around the world. For more information on: Canadian Boreal Forest see GristA pretty picture see Treehugger
|
Have a question or a response for the Sierra Club Wild Legacy campaign? Click on the Comments link! User comments or postings reflect the opinions of the responsible contributor only, and do not reflect the viewpoint of the Sierra Club. The Sierra Club does not endorse or guarantee the accuracy of any posting. The Sierra Club accepts no obligation to review every posting, but reserves the right (but not the obligation) to delete postings that may be considered offensive, illegal or inappropriate.
Up to Top
|
Post a Comment
<< Wld Legacy Main