Deforested Versus Remaining Forested

Over Last 8,000 Years

According to a recent study by the International Center for Tropical Agriculture the three most common causes of deforestation are:

The expansion of the agricultural frontier, mining and roads (84%)

Logging (12.5%)

Infrastructure (hydroelectric dams, road construction and expansion of urban areas) (3.5%).

Deforestation and Sustainable Development

Poverty and demographic pressure are the main causes of forest clearance and the degradation of the natural environment.

So far, forestry policies in the region have not been effective, mainly because they have failed to take into account the differing needs of different forest users.

In the remote mountain ranges of Chile's southern pacific coast are large and intact temperate rainforests, some of the most diverse temperate ecosystems in the Americas.

In mid-2001, the Chilean government decided to continue construction of the Southern Coastal Highway.

Peripheral Factors Contributing to Deforestation

Worst Case Scenario & Alternatives

EL SALVADOR (5.1%)El Salvador is the second most deforested country in Latin America after Haiti.

Over 50% of El Salvador is not even suitable for food cultivation.

The result of a small area of forest cover is a low biodiversity and serious environmental problems including erosion and flooding.

El Salvador's meager forests are threatened by:

High population density

Unenforceable forestry laws

AlternativesEco-tourism can be developed as a source of funds by taking advantage of the appeal of the region's forests and its natural beauty.

There is a high risk of negative impact if eco-tourism is not developed properly.

Forest Stewardship & Certification

Primary Considerations – Environmental Sustainability – Sustaining the ecosystem

Social Sustainability – Any forestry activity that sustains the social norms of the community

Economic Sustainability – benefits to society exceed costs incurred, and equivalent capital is handed down to next generation.

Involvement – Government, NGOs, Certification Boards, Standards Committees, Logging Companies, Property Owners

Incentives – Consumer is willing to pay premium (Uses reward system vs. policing system)

Costs – First time certification costs approximately $3,500-$45,000 for a full assessment, with subsequent annual audits costing $1,000-$3,500

Forest Stewardship & Certification in Chile

Significance to Chile – Home to 2nd largest rainforest

Contains 1/3 of remaining temperate rainforests

In 1995 was estimated that all native forests would disappear in 20 years if nothing changed

Importance – Under-managed/Unmanaged foresting allows forest size to dwindle

Human beings are less likely to profit from natural habitat, medicinal uses, weather effects

Why are we concerned?Wood retail giant Home Depot, largest wood retailer in the world, only 1% of their wood is certified as sustainable.

Environmental Effects of Deforestation

Change in Landscape

Species endangerment

Carbon Dioxide Buildup

We don’t know until it happens!

Vicious Cycle

Destroying TreesGlobal Warming

Forest Fires

“Planted Tree”

Cheap Raw Material

Consumption of the Water Supply

Changes in soil structure and chemical composition

Impact on local ecosystems

Local Communities

Alternatives to Old Growth Trees

Certified Sustainable Harvested Wood

Reclaimed/Recycled Lumber

Composite Lumber

Non-wood Choices

Paper Alternatives

Kenaf

Hemp

Agricultural Waste

The Future

Tompkins/McDivitt-2mill. +acres

Pumalin Park-Chile

Ted Turner -10,000 acres

Luciano Benetton – 2 mill. acres

Sylvester Stallone, Jane Fonda and Michael Douglas are buying land.

Gordon Moore(Intel)-$ 261mill.

The International Year of Ecotourism

Accounted for 20% of the $453 Billion tourist industry in 1999

Tourism is growing 4% annually while ecotourism is growing 20%.

2010 expects 1 Billion tourists = $1.55 Trillion

“Its (UN) goal is to review the lessons learned in implementing ecotourism, and to identify and promote forms of ecotourism

that lead to the protection of critically endangered ecosystems, sharing the benefits of the activity with local communities and

respecting local cultures.” –Megan Wood, President of The International Ecotourism Society

Successful Ventures

PromotionWorld Wide Certification

PlaceVariety of Natural Attractions

Peaceful Society

Land Use Planning

Traditional Architecture

PriceFees earmarked for Conservation of Wild Lands

ProductPolicy of Nature Preservation

Wealth of Information Available

Tourist Participation

Problems in Paradise

Scarce Funding

Too Many Tourist!

Lack of Regulations & Accreditation

Lack of Training

No Community Buy-In

Lack of Controlling Construction

Failure

Police for the Industry?

Certification Programs

Build Solid Consumer Demand

Build Industry Buy-in

Funding available for participation in accreditation

Training and Education for Planning and Management

NGO Involvement

NGOs Involved in Forest Stewardship:

Canadian Standards Association

Sustainable Forestry Initiative

Pan European Forest Certification Scheme

Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)

FSCEstablished in 1993 with global presence in 50 countries

Two Certification Programs:Forest ManagementChain of Custody

• 60 million acres of forest land certified as of 2001.

Why does the firm volunteer to certify?

Market Pressure Asserted by NGOs

Affects:

Branding

Vulnerability

Risk Reduction

Credibility

Costs

Ancillary Benefits