How does Canada’s forestry industry tackle climate change?

Highlights

• Canada’s forest products industry addresses global climate change and focuses on lowering energy consumption
• Since 1990, the Canadian pulp and paper industry has reduced almost 65 per cent of its greenhouse gas emissions
• Renewable forests in Canada focus on absorbing tremendous amounts of carbon dioxide (CO2) that help in controlling climate systems across the world

Forests help in preventing soil erosion, providing habitat, and help in purifying the air which can impact human health. Well-managed forests provide environmental and economic benefits and help in reducing climate change by storing carbon in soil, tree and biomass. In this article, we will learn the role of forests in tackling climate change.

Forests’ contribution in mitigating climate change

It is essential to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases and store more carbon for mitigating climate change. The forests in Canada represent a significant carbon reservoir and its sustainable forest management is ensuring that these forests will play a role in responding to climate change.

Various forest-related activities can help in reducing climate change. It includes the following:

• It is needed that non-forested areas be converted into forests.
• It is needed the forests are managed so that it can store and absorb more carbon.
• It is needed that fossil fuels be replaced with bioenergy.

Also read: What are the impacts of climate change on the Arctic environment?

Role of Canada’s forest product industry in mitigating climate change

Canada’s forest products industry addresses global climate change and focuses on lowering energy consumption. Forest products companies of Canada have enhanced equipment and now use leading technology for their manufacturing operations.

Long-term forest planning on climate change can help in protecting wildlife species from the adverse effects of climate change.

The forest industry of Canada has been a leader in mitigating greenhouse gas emissions. Since 1990, the Canadian pulp and paper industry has experienced an almost 65 per cent reduction in emissions. This has been achieved by using low net-carbon emissions energy which is developed from burning wood residues instead of fossil fuels.

Also read: What is Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)?

Renewable forests in Canada focus on absorbing tremendous amounts of carbon dioxide (CO2) that help in controlling climate systems across the world.

By paying attention to climate-sensitive practices, properly managed forests in Canada can become a positive contributor to the climate management system of Canada. To maximize climate resilience, the forest products industry is continuously working on improving its forest management practices.

By using residuals, nearly 30 mills are generating green electricity. It will be very challenging to further reduce the carbon footprint across the mills. But additional cuts can be achieved by focusing on more energy efficiency and making a reduction in fossil fuel usage.

Also read: What plans & actions is Canada taking to tackle climate change?

How do wood products mitigate climate change?

With the growing environmental awareness, architects, engineers, and builders are considering wood as an excellent environmental choice for buildings as it plays a role in sustainable development by reducing the use of energy, water, and materials, and mitigating impacts on human health and the environment.

Wood products are energy efficient as they require less energy to process, transport, and extract. The consumption of less fossil fuel energy will contribute to lowering greenhouse gases emissions. Wood products are durable and adaptable and are considered a clean, renewable energy source.

Bioenergy is considered clean, renewable energy that is generated from biomass which includes agricultural residues, sawmill residue, forest harvesting, and industrial organic waste. Biomass can be used for developing liquid and gaseous fuels and heat and electricity.

In comparison to using crops for fuel, the biomass derived from wood and forest residues is considered a better option for fuel. The Canadian forest sector derives 60 per cent of its energy needs from wood residue.

Also read: What to expect from a future of climate change?

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Bottom line

Forests are important as they help mitigate climate change. We can help by using light carbon footprint products, reducing waste, properly utilizing forests and forest products, reforestation, afforestation, and preventing forest fires.