Why is wood renewable & sustainable?

Across the globe, communities are seeking ways to shift natural resource use from unsustainable exploitation to a well managed and sustainable basis.

People want industry and government to lead the way in reducing our dependence on finite and exhaustible resources that are becoming harder and more costly to obtain, and can only be used once. Oil and gas derived from fossil sources, and minerals extracted from the earth are major examples. Industrial westernised societies, including Australia, have been and continue to be massive users of these non-renewable natural resources.

In contrast to this, forests are an example of a renewable resource. They produce renewable products such as timber and play a vital role in various natural cycles, including the water, carbon and nitrogen cycles. As a society we have the opportunity and incentive to preferentially use renewable materials that can be carefully managed to produce a perpetual supply. We also have a moral obligation to help preserve natural resources for future generations.