Australia’s Tepid Overseas Rainforest Aid Provides Little Climate Benefit

PRESS RELEASE

Harnessing ancient primary forests for continued carbon storage requires ending industrial logging, and in Australia too

By Ecological Internet, Dr. Glen Barry, +1 (920) 776-1075

(Earth) — Ecological Internet welcomes Australia’s expression of concern about forests and climate change, demonstrated by yesterday’s release of an initial US$2 million in aid [ark] for Asia-Pacific nations to help protect forests and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. But it is unfortunate these efforts to maintain forest carbon [search] are only being applied overseas, are based upon flawed science, and thus will not likely make much difference.

An important new study from Australian National University researchers recently found that first-time logging of ancient primary forests results in more than a 40 percent reduction in long-term carbon compared with unlogged forests[1]. Further, untouched natural forests were found to store three times more carbon dioxide than previously estimated and 60 percent more than plantation forests. These findings directly contradict industry propaganda that logging old-growth is climate friendly.

Similar Posts:

• FEATURE: Old-Growth Carbon Findings Cause Forest Protection Schism
• RELEASE: Ancient Forest Victory, as Rainforest Action Network Yields, Commits to Review FSC Support
• Greenpeace Reaffirms Support for Ancient Forest Logging
• WWF’s Inconsistent Climate and Forest Messages
• Ecological Internet’s Campaign to End Ancient Forest Logging Gaining Support

Related Reading:

This is Australia (This Is . . .)

Frommer's Australia 2010 (Frommer's Complete)