Environment

Permit could help California pulp mill restart

July 24, 2010 by timbercommunity

The Samoa mill will build upon the “green” virtues of the North Coast of California by installing pollution prevention technology that will set new standards for the wood pulp industry. Officials from Freshwater tissue company expect that approximately $50 million must be spent on water quality and air emissions improvement measures according to the magazine Times-Standard.
 Read more

Lawsuit for Failure to Control Air Pollution From Pulp Mills

July 22, 2010 by timbercommunity

Today Californians for Alternatives to Toxics and the Center for Biological Diversity officially notified the Environmental Protection Agency of their intent to sue the agency in 60 days for its failure to review and update Clean Air Act rules, called New Source Performance Standards, for kraft pulp mills. Kraft pulp mills dissolve wood chips into fibers later used to make paper products. Read more

Mangroves Report Reveals Threats & Opportunities to Global Economy & the Planet

July 19, 2010 by timbercommunity

The first global assessment of mangroves in over a decade reveals that rare and critically important mangrove forests continue to be lost at a rate three to four times higher than land-based global forests, despite positive restoration efforts by some countries. About one fifth of all mangroves are thought to have been lost since 1980. Although losses are slowing at 0.7 per cent a year, the authors warn that any further destruction due to shrimp farming and coastal development will cause significant economic and ecological decline.

Economic assessments provide some of the most powerful arguments in favour of mangrove management, protection or restoration. Studies estimate that mangroves generate between US$2000-9000 per hectare annually, considerably more than alternative uses such as aquaculture, agriculture or insensitive tourism.
 
 Read more

New EU regulation criticised in Norway

May 25, 2010 by timbercommunity

New proposed EU draft will regulate trafficking of timber and timber products.
The proposed EU regulation, which is originally written by Caroline Lucas an EU parliamentarian from the Green Party in the UK, aim to stop illegal import of timber or wood-based products. The draft is an extension of traceability requirements throughout the supply chain.  The Norweigian Conservatives and the Norwegian Forest Owners Association fear more administrative costs and reduced competitiveness due to this proposal.
 

 Read more