Paper Views

Image via Wikipedia

           When most people think of the paper industry, the first thing that comes to mind probably doesn’t have to do with the planting of trees. Most people think of the destruction of forests to produce paper. However, the paper industry has taken major strides to prevent the destruction of forests.

            Just like any other industry, the paper industry must make sure there are enough resources to produce its product. The truth is, without trees, the paper industry would not be able to produce paper. Therefore, in order to guarantee the future of its product (paper), the paper industry must ensure there are plenty of resources (trees) available.

           In fact, according to the American Forest and Paper Association, AF&PA, the United States has 20 percent more trees today than it did 25 years ago. “Private landowners in the U.S. plant about 4 million trees each day—five trees each year for every man, woman and child in America (AF&PA).”

“Today, the U.S. forest products industry’s goal is to sustain and expand a renewable resource-our forests-while providing the recyclable and essential products that the public uses everyday. In fact, AF&PA requires member companies to support sustainable forestry practices as a condition of membership. AF&PA works with Congress and federal agencies to seek laws and policies to enable sustainable forest management on public and private land, provide a reliable fiber supply for the forest products industry, and provide adequate federal funding to maintain healthy forests and research innovations in forest management (AF&PA).”

            Here are some fun facts about forests from the AF&PA’s website:

• One-third of the United States is forested—751 million acres.
• Sixty percent of all forestland in the U.S. is privately owned.
• Privately-owned forests supply 91 percent of the wood harvested in the U.S. State and tribal forests supply approximately 6 percent and federal forests supply only 2 percent of the wood used by the forest products industry.
• Over 25 percent of private U.S. forestland is certified to one of three sustainable forestry management certification systems: the Sustainable Forestry Initiative, Forest Stewardship Council, or American Tree Farm System, as compared with 10 percent of forestland worldwide.
• Insects and disease threaten 58 million acres of America’s forests.
• A single tree can absorb more than 10 pounds of C02 each year.
• In the U.S., forests and forest products store enough carbon each year to offset approximately 10 percent of the nation’s CO2 emissions.
• Two-thirds of the nation’s drinking water comes from forests.

          What are your thoughts?