Impact of Forest Logging - Assignment Example

Impact of Forest Logging Contents Impact of Forest Logging 1 Contents 1 Native Nature Organization (NNO) 1 Brief Description of Forest Logging 1 What We Do 2 Our Core Values 3 Equity 3 Bearing Witness 3 Our Mission 3 Our Motivation 4 Submission in Response to Tasmanian Forests Agreement 4 Our Stakeholder Group and Possible Partnerships 5 References 6 Native Nature Organization (NNO) Brief Description of Forest Logging Everyone must be conversant with the phrase that the Earth’s lungs are the forests. The air people breathe, the stability of climate, and other forms of life depend on forests. They are home to more than two-thirds of animal and plant species present on Earth (Maczulak, 2010). Millions of people also depend on them as a source of their livelihood. Without thriving and healthy forests, planet Earth can hardly sustain life. It is, however, sad that forests are diminishing at a high rate because of illegal practices such as logging (Welsbecher, 2009). More than 80 percent of the forests in the world have been depleted. In Australia, forest destruction for the last 50 years has put about 20% of its conifer and flowering species in danger and face the threat of extinction (Boland, 2006). Ancient forests are looted daily to provide wood products and cheap timber. As a result of the destruction, the world is witnessing climate change, loss of biodiversity and displacement of communities. In our country, for example, rainforests are suffering more negative impacts than any other forests. Logging in Australia’s mainland is causing forest loss and degradation and replaced with plantations (Evans, 2001). We are part of the problem and must focus on how to overcome them. What We Do We, the Native Nature Organization (NNO), are tirelessly involved in all activities geared towards protecting forests, not only in Australia, but also in other countries. NNO is on the forefront to save the remaining ancient and artificial forests, and bring an end to the illegal and destructive logging practices. We are determined to expose all companies and corporations involved in the destruction. We are also lobbying for international funding agreements and showcasing some of the sustainable forestry practices. Above all, we are empowering and campaigning for consumers to buy the appropriate wood and their effective use (“Forestmonitor”, 2014). Our Core Values Equity We believe all people in the community have equal right and should, therefore, benefit equally from the forest resources. Bearing Witness All our peaceful protests and campaigns work to raise people’s awareness on forest issues and foster the importance of public opinion when lawmakers make decisions. Independence NNO does not accept any money from corporations, political parties, or governments meant to entice for activities because doing so would compromise our vision and mission. Non-Violent Direct Action All our team members believe that violence accomplishes nothing and is morally wrong. NNO takes non-violent actions during instances of environmental crime to expose problems and bring solutions. Our Mission The Native Nature Organization is an independent and nonpartisan organization that makes use of non-violent direct actions to expose and reduce global environmental problems. We advocate solutions that are essential for a peaceful and green future. We are determined to ensure the Earth’s ability to nurture life in all diversity is not hampered. We are committed to seeing all people benefit from the God-given resources. Our Motivation NNO believes that all parties, particularly timber industries must operate within the country’s regulatory framework that promotes accountability and prioritizes the rights and needs of forest-dependent people (“Greenpeace”, 2012). Submission in Response to Tasmanian Forests Agreement On June 2014, UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee turned down the Government’s request to allow Tasmania’s World Heritage forests to be logged. The decision was at its best because the government’s intentions on logging other iconic forests are clear. If the forest is delisted, others, such as Bruny Island, Tarkine, Reedy Marsh, Tasman, Blue Tier, and the North-East Highlands are also in danger (abc.net, 2014). The Tasmania forests are some of the world’s spectacular forests and are home to the tallest species of flowering trees on Earth. The trees are 100 meters high and are centuries old. Furthermore, the forests have ancient rock arts and are home to endangered animal species such as the renowned Tasmanian devil (Mathiesen, 2014). On the 8th of May, the Tasmanian government tabled the controversial new law seeking to undo the Tasmanian Forests Agreement. The forestry Bill 201 will repeal the agreement that set about 0.5 million hectares of forest as reserve land (Mathiesen, 2014). If passed, the land will immediately be converted to logging areas. NNO believes the bill is misplaced and is meant for bad purposes. The government should instead come up with alternative strategies for the timber industry and protect the forests. We support the Senate’s Environment committee report that found the Government’s proposal to be completely flawed. The delisting of the agreement will have adverse effects on the values of the World’s Heritage Area. Its approval would also undermine the rigorous efforts from various environmental groups, worker’s unions, and timber community used in drafting the agreement. They ought to know the agreement was reached in 2012 but after several decades of conflict (Acfonline, 2014). The agreement remains profound towards the conservation of valuable forests and tends to secure the future of the wood product industries. The bill also intends to remove the state’s 2013 bill that reinstated the agreement (Fairman, 2014). The 2013 bill provided formal legislative protection to native forests. If logging is allowed, various opportunities that support the Tasmanian economy will be lost. In whatever the legislatures do, they should know the agreement was a successful and positive outcome for the workers, the environment, and the forest industry (Fairman, 2014). Our Stakeholder Group and Possible Partnerships NNO is a non-governmental organization that is independent and uses non-violent and creative campaigns to advocate major global environmental concerns. We stand for the enforcement of solutions that are essential for a peaceful and green environment. We do not accept or solicit funds from the government, political parties, or corporations. It neither accepts nor seeks donations that can compromise its aims, objectives, integrity or independence. It relies on voluntary donations from individual supporters and grants from foundations. We remain steadfast to the principles of political independence, internationalism, and non-violence. While performing its duties, NNO has no permanent enemies or allies. Illegal logging is a problem in various parts of the world and contradicts with the environment and forest laws. Many of the world’s logging activities are unsustainable while management plans to curb them are usually not written or are at most ignored. Consequently, forests are simply mined or treated as sources of valuable items rather than being managed for their long-term viability. Their long-term viability has both ecological and economic benefits. We are; therefore, open for partnership with other organizations and movement with similar objectives and views. Environmental professionals and independent researchers are also welcome to partner with us in a bid to save the environment, and in particular, protect forests from logging. Forming partnerships with other like-minded organizations will strengthen our abilities to halt the unsustainable and illegal forest logging. References Boland, D. (2006). Forest trees of Australia (5th ed.). Collingwood, Victoria: CSIRO Pub. Evans, J. (2001). The forests handbook. Oxford: Blackwell Science. Fairman, T. (2014). Tasmania’s forests to remain under World Heritage. The Conversation. Retrieved November 6, 2014, from http://theconversation.com/tasmanias-forests-to-remain-under-world-heritage-28053 "Greenpeace," Frequently asked questions. (2012, January 1). Retrieved November 6, 2014, from http://www.greenpeace.org/australia/en/about/faq/ Maczulak, A. (2010). Conservation: Protecting our plant resources. New York, NY: Facts On File. Mathiesen, K. (2014). UN rejects Australia's 'feeble' bid to strip Tasmanian forest's heritage status. The Guardian. Retrieved November 6, 2014, from http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2014/jun/23/un-rejects-australia-tasmanian-forest-heritage "Forest Monitor," Our motivation. (2009, January 1). Retrieved November 6, 2014, from http://www.forestsmonitor.org/en/whywedoit "Acfonline," Protecting Tassie's ancient forests. (2014, January 1). Retrieved November 6, 2014, from http://www.acfonline.org.au/be-informed/land-forests/tasmanian-forest-protection "Abc.net," UNESCO rejects Coalition bid to delist Tasmanian forest. (2014, January 1). Retrieved November 6, 2014, from http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-06-24/unesco-rejects-bid-to-delist-world-heritage-forest/5538946 Welsbecher, A. (2009). Protecting Earth's rain forests. Minneapolis, MN: Lerner Publications. Read More