Pinus radiata, a coniferous tree, native of California. A major source of softwood timber grown in Australia.
Forest management may involve decisions relating to carbon storage. After the 2009 Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission, it has been recognised that there are huge surges of carbon emissions associated with summer mega-fires, such as those experienced in Victoria in 2003, 2006 and 2009, and the best way to reduce the risk of these mega-fires is to increase the use of prescribed burning. In particular, this includes more broadscale prescribed burning in remote areas, as well as more targeted strategic burning around towns and urban areas.
One area which reflects consideration of avoiding carbon emissions from forest fires is in the reduction of slash burning (burning of harvesting debris) in plantations, although the primary reason for this change is that allowing harvesting debris to rot and decay in-situ is a better means of retaining nutrients on site and maintaining soil productivity for the next crop.
The introduction of carbon trading schemes is providing an alternative source of income to forest owners and growers. Currently voluntary carbon markets exist in Australia; however the introduction of a carbon pricing mechanism in Australia is currently under debate. If a mandatory carbon mechanism is introduced (e.g. New Zealand’s Emissions Trading Scheme), it is likely to have impacts on harvesting and conservation decisions (Leys, 2011).
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Tackle climate change, use woodThis website provides a downloadable video and information book on how using wood helps tackle climate change, produced by the British Columbian Forestry Climate Change Working Group in Canada. It discusses how wood products store carbon for the life of a product, and if used as a substitute to replace fossil fuel intensive materials such as concrete and steel, it helps reduce the amount of greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere. Wood is a renewable, recyclable, and sustainable natural product for the long term. |
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Wild Forest Adventure Activity BookWild Forest Adventure is an activity based companion booklet especially designed for use with the Forests NSW website. |
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Tackle climate change, use woodThis website provides a downloadable video and information book on how using wood helps tackle climate change, produced by the British Columbian Forestry Climate Change Working Group in Canada. It discusses how wood products store carbon for the life of a product, and if used as a substitute to replace fossil fuel intensive materials such as concrete and steel, it helps reduce the amount of greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere. Wood is a renewable, recyclable, and sustainable natural product for the long term. |
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The story of carbon.
Carbie the carbon atom is not happy. It is getting crowded in the atmosphere causing it to warm up. Carbie is looking for a better place to be. This interactive game allows you to choose between the ocean, coal, trees and wood products and learn how carbon is stored in each of these environments. |
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Tackle climate change, use woodThis website provides a downloadable video and information book on how using wood helps tackle climate change, produced by the British Columbian Forestry Climate Change Working Group in Canada. It discusses how wood products store carbon for the life of a product, and if used as a substitute to replace fossil fuel intensive materials such as concrete and steel, it helps reduce the amount of greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere. Wood is a renewable, recyclable, and sustainable natural product for the long term. |
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The story of carbon.
Carbie the carbon atom is not happy. It is getting crowded in the atmosphere causing it to warm up. Carbie is looking for a better place to be. This interactive game allows you to choose between the ocean, coal, trees and wood products and learn how carbon is stored in each of these environments. |
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