It’s a time of optimism in the biomass industry as the EU looks to bioenergy as a means to lower carbon emission and Toshiba announces plans to open a new plant in Japan. In contrasting news: campaigners say biomass threatens Europe’s forests; an ENGO lawsuit calls EU biomass a false solution; and green groups in France oppose coal to biomass conversions. Meanwhile, National Geographic has a GHG-explainer.

In other news: Toronto has plans for the tallest wood-framed office tower in North America; Haida Gwaii mapping reveals rare ecosystems; FSC Canada readies its new forestry standard; Ontario forest industry’s AGM highlights; and Oregon State University seeks to improve wildfire modelling.

Finally, how Australia’s bush fires generate their own lightning.

Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog Editor