|
New Articles
Carbon Credits: Where Do Forests Come In?
Craig McKinley
Oklahoma State University
Printed in The Cedar Leader Oct-Dec 2007
A great deal of media attention has recently been given to the
subject of global warming. And, as often occurs with controversial
issues, several facets are being debated. One commonly debated issue
is whether humans are the cause of the earth’s increasing
temperature, or is any rise in global temperature simply a result of
the natural patterns of long-term climate change?
Regardless of the cause, the fact remains that the world’s climate
is demonstrating a slow but consistent increase in temperature. One
of the often-stated culprits in this warming trend is the increase
in the amount of carbon dioxide found in the atmosphere. Carbon
dioxide is one of the “greenhouse gases” that accumulates in the
atmosphere and results in the sun’s heat being trapped close to the
earth’s surface. Scientific evidence indicates that the amount of
carbon dioxide in the air has increased from about 280 parts per
million (ppm) to about 380 ppm in the past 250 years. Thus, the
potential for trapping additional heat has also increased.
One of the major sources of additional atmospheric carbon dioxide is
human activity, which primarily results from burning of fossil fuels
(oil, gasoline, coal, etc.). To reduce the impact of this additional
carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, it is being advocated that credits
be given to any system that captures carbon dioxide, thereby
lessening the amount of this greenhouse gas. As we are all aware,
trees are an excellent carbon “sink” by their conversion of carbon
dioxide to carbon-rich cellulose via the process known as
photosynthesis.
Currently, several voluntary market systems of buying/selling carbon
credits are in place in the United States. These markets allow those
companies that emit carbon dioxide (manufacturing, energy companies,
etc.) to purchase carbon credits from others who have implemented
systems of storing the carbon from carbon dioxide. The Chicago
Climate Exchange is but one example of an organization that deals in
the buying and selling of carbon credits, and there are several
others. Across the U.S., numerous forest landowners have placed
their property into these carbon credit markets. Certainly, several
requirements and restrictions must be met, but the bottom line is
that landowners are receiving payments for keeping their trees in
place and not harvesting those trees for a specific length of time.
Given a free market system, the idea of purchasing carbon credits
from one source to offset carbon emissions from another source
appears to hold promise. However, a suggested alternative to this
“cap and trade” approach is that of taxing, on a progressive basis,
those corporations that emit more carbon dioxide. Both approaches
have their arguments.
At this time, we do not know what the eventual State and/or Federal
legislative requirements will be. However, as long as the global
warming continues and the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere
increases, we can expect changes regarding how we view our woodland
resources. And changes may well include what we consider as the most
economically important product from those resources.
Something to think about.
Creative Marketing: Some Things to Think About
Craig McKinley
OSU Cooperative Extension
Printed in The Cedar Leader Jan-Mar 2008
In the past few years, a number of ideas have been brought forward
as ways to increase profitability of wood products. We have all
heard of such terms as “niche marketing” or “value added” as
creative marketing ideas. But what do these terms really mean?
Niche marketing involves a product or service that is not being
provided by the larger, more mainstream companies. A niche market is
focused on a very specific product that meets a very specific need.
One real-world example that comes to mind is the production of
bedding for hamster and gerbil cages. While bedding production is
not a large industry compared to say, construction lumber or
furniture, there is a significant need for that particular product.
The consumers who purchase pet bedding are demonstrating their
desire to pamper their pets with what they believe is a true
necessity. In addition, a great deal of consumer loyalty can be
built by the manufacturer who provides this necessity. In looking
for niche markets, a provider needs to find a product or service
that has accessible customers, that will meet an ongoing need, and
is not already being provided by others. Do you have anything like
this?
How about value-added? The term itself simply implies that the value
of a product is increased prior to its being placed on the market.
One needs to look no further than the local grocery store to see
this concept in action. The price per pound of wheat when sold by
the farmer is considerably less than the cost of a pound of cereal
or bread at the corner market. At each step in the production
process, from harvest, to transportation, to milling, to cooking, to
packaging adds value to the initial product. Certainly, each of us
could make our own bread from scratch, but why? The convenience of
buying off the shelf far outweighs the difficulties of purchasing
equipment, handling the product several times, and keeping it fresh
after production. The value to the consumer is obviously as much or
greater than the price paid at the store. This concept of
value-added works also for wood products. For example, consider the
production of cedar oil. As a raw material, cedar oil currently
sells for somewhere between $6 and $9 per pound. However, as bottled
for aromatherapy, 16 fluid ounces will sell for $25 - $30. That’s
about 25 times the price received at the oil plant! The oil’s value
has been increased by additional refining and then marketing to a
receptive audience.
So, as you think about marketing your product, you might want to
give some thought to both niche marketing and value-added. They just
might work!
Urban and Community Forests Improve Quality of Life
By Bill Ross
Louisiana Tech University
An increasingly important aspect of forest management in the United
States is management and planning of urban and community forests for
reasons primarily other than traditional forest products. Many
younger foresters of my acquaintance arrived at forestry school with
visions of patrolling remote and wild areas only to find themselves,
upon graduation, seated at a desk in a municipal building with urban
forest management responsibilities. Although the development of
urban and community forestry has lagged behind traditional
production forestry, particularly in effective application, more and
more municipal leaders, city planners and city dwellers in general
are being convinced of its value as the importance of proactive
urban forest management becomes evident.
Trees perform a number of important functions in urban ecosystems.
Shade provided in the summer, and windbreaks of evergreen trees in
the winter can greatly reduce cooling and heating costs. They help
prevent soil erosion and serve as buffers against noise and air
pollution. Wild animals and birds obtain food and shelter from
trees, and are able to escape the stress of close proximity to
people. A well-managed urban and community forest increases property
values, invites outside investment in the community, and generally
improves the quality of life.
One of the many challenges facing urban forest managers is the
highly fragmented nature of property ownership. It’s sometimes hard
to get everybody on the same page. Although there’s no substitute
for trained professionals in urban forest planning and management,
homeowners can help in long-term urban forest health and
sustainability.
One very important thing to do is assess the quality of your little
patch of woods, and think about where you want to be in the future.
What is going to replace old declining trees when they die? What
threats to people and structures are posed by these trees? As a
general rule, the most stable situation is achieved with a mixture
of species designed to provide varied ages, shapes, sizes and
colors. Not only will this provide visual diversity, but will help
prevent total loss of your woods in the event of diseases which
often focus on just one or a few related species. Another good tip
is to favor native species, or those demonstrated to be tolerant of
local soil and climate. Non-native species tend to be more difficult
and expensive to maintain. After getting a good general idea of what
you want, getting in touch with your city forester or an
International Society of Arboriculture Certified Arborist is the
next logical step in protecting the value of the trees on your
property, and planning for the future to increase that value.
A number of good resources are currently available for those
desiring further information. A really good place to start is:
USDA Forest Service
Urban and Community Forestry
P.O. Box 96090
Washington, D.C. 20090-6090
(202) 205-1054
www.fs.fed.us/ucf |
