Thursday, September 11, 2008

Old Growth Forest Is a Big Carbon Sink

The next time someone tells you that clearcutting forests is a good thing because very young trees absorb more carbon than old growth forests, show them what science says. In a new study, published in Nature, a study analyzing more than 500 forests around the world settles the question once and for all.

When developing a paper procurement policy or organizational climate initiative, its important to take steps to ensure you are not unknowingly contributing to the loss of old growth or the conversion of natural forests to industrial tree plantations. Get ahead of the curve now.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

It would be nice if you had some actual facts. Old growth is a sink for past carbon. But it's slow/no growth caracteristics do not currently absorb carbon. New growth absorbs carbon now because wood is being produced, and cellulose is nothing more than a long string of carbon atoms. The article you site merely states that old growth can continue to contribute as a carbon sink but does not compare the quantities versus young growth trees. You mischaracterize the reasearch (and your link doesn't work either.)