What is the FSC doing to tackle climate change?

If you follow our blogs, you’ll know that here at EcoChoice we source our timber mostly from Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified forests. This is to ensure that the wood we sell is responsibly sourced. The FSC manage forests in a way that does not cause irreparable damage to the environment or communities within its locality. However, you might be wondering what the FSC is doing to tackle climate change and the effects of global warming, and we’ve put this piece together to enlighten you.

The FSC regard climate change as a severe threat to humanity. Climate change disrupts the balance of weather patterns, endangering ecosystems which we rely on in many ways, including for food, health and shelter. It’s evident that climate change is happening and we can see its effects in several ways:

• Extreme weather conditions

• Warming oceans

• Melting polar and ice glaciers

• Rising sea levels

Why is climate change happening?

The rising amount of CO2 in our atmosphere, along with other gases such as methane creates a greenhouse effect that traps the sun’s heat and causes the earth to warm up. Evidence has shown that the increase of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere is almost entirely down to human activities, such as:

• Burning fossil fuels

• Agriculture Manufacturing of chemicals, cement and metals

Today, carbon dioxide levels are 50% higher than they were before the Industrial Revolution.

Forests play a vital role in the battle against climate change. By removing CO2 from the atmosphere, they help lower the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Not many people realise that deforestation actually produces huge amounts of carbon emissions. In fact, if tropical deforestation were a country it would rank third in CO2 emissions behind only China and the United States. 

But the problem is only set to get worse. In the future, forests are likely to come under greater pressure as wood becomes a material of choice in the construction and other industries. 

What is the FSC doing to help?

The FSC works to take care of forests, wildlife and any people who call it home. Every tree harvested from their sustainable and independently certified forest is replaced or allowed to regenerate naturally. Their certification system helps businesses and consumers make responsible choices when it comes to buying timber, paper, or other forest products. This ensures that the forests are preserved, and allowed to regrow naturally.

The FSC recognises that storing and capturing carbon is an essential component in the fight against climate change and also within ecosystems. Therefore, FSC provides consumers with a choice when buying timber or any other product that originates from a forest. By choosing FSC products, you are helping the fight against illegal deforestation and unsustainable forestry practices.