Don't Log the Forests for the Fuel

This morning at the Biomass South 2008 conference in Raleigh, NC, Southern forest protection organization, Dogwood Alliance, released, “Don’t Log the Forests for the Fuel: A Position Paper on the Potential Environmental and Economic Impacts of the Cellulosic Ethanol Industry in the Southern United States,” exposing the false environmental and economic benefits of tree-based biofuels.  Over the last couple of years, policy makers and investors have been quick to jump on the biofuel bandwagon in hopes of cashing in on the climate and energy crisis, though little to no research supports the positive benefits of this fuel.   In fact evidence seems to be mounting to the contrary.

“Between the climate crisis and a growing dependence on foreign oil we are facing a grim future unless big ideas and bold policies are enacted.  Unfortunately, tree-based biofuels are a short-sighted and false solution,” said Scot Quaranda, campaign director for Dogwood Alliance.  “At best this is an economic boondoggle, and at worst, we are setting ourselves up for a disaster for our forests which will exacerbate global climate change rather than combat it.”

Key Findings from the position paper, include:

• Regions already known for their forest products are likely to dominate the market, increasing already unsustainable levels of clearcutting, conversion of natural forests to plantations, and use of toxic chemicals in forest management.
• Due to the vast amount of carbon released from Southern forest clearcuts, biofuel production could actually double the amount of greenhouse gas emissions.
• While it is clear we need to reduce fossil fuel consumption, research shows that we could reduce global warming pollution two to nine times more by conserving or restoring forests and grasslands than by razing them and turning them into biofuels plantations -- even if we continue to use fossil fuels as our main source of energy.
• Total government support for all biofuels in the United States reached approximately $ 6.3–$ 7.7 billion in 2006.  Total support is projected to reach around $ 13 billion in 2008 and almost $ 16 billion by 2014.  Money that could instead fund critical research into conservation and efficiency and proven solutions.

Tree-based biofuels, also known as cellulosic ethanol, is a product that will be produced from pulpwood and wood chips by converting the cellulose to a liquid fuel.  Southern forests, currently the largest paper producing region in the world, are projected to be the region in the United States most heavily exploited for this fuel production.  Range Fuels, the country’s first cellulosic ethanol refinery backed by venture capitalist Vinod Khosla, is under construction in Soperton, Georgia.  Other facilities are currently planned for Florida and North Carolina.

The forests of the Southern U.S. are a global treasure, housing critical levels of biodiversity, unique ecosystems found nowhere else in the world, and the potential to house a sustainable combination of wood products companies, forest-based tourism, and provide a cultural resource for local communities for generations to come.  From the Appalachians to the Ozarks and from the coastal swamplands to the majestic upland hardwood forests of the Cumberland Plateau these amazing forests stand on the brink of disaster.

“Not only will the cellulosic ethanol industry compete with an already unsustainable pulp and paper industry in the Southern US, it will also cause irreparable harm to the forests and communities of the region,” continued Quaranda.  “This harm will come in the form of more forest destruction, unsustainable levels of water use in an already drought-stricken region, loss of critically important carbon sinks, competition for land better served for food production, and opening the door to untested technologies including genetically engineered trees which could contaminate natural forests with potential untold consequences.”

While tree-based biofuel may not be the answer, the paper outlines a number of effective alternatives including conservation and efficiency, research and development in proven technologies, and everyday steps that individuals can take to reduce their carbon footprint. 

To read or download the paper, visit our homepage: www.dogwoodalliance.org