Trump tariffs are called the latest inflationary pressure for US lumber prices. In related news: Trump’s threat is called a negotiating tactic, a crude awakening, a threat to Canada and US consumers; immaterial; and a mixed blessing for Maine. In other Business news: Drax celebrates 50 years in the UK: PRT signs agreement with Ontario First Nation; Coulson Aviation secures a contract in Chile; and US new homes sales are down, while US consumer confidence is on the rise.
In Forestry/Wildfire news: Oregon will approve emergency spending on wildfires; Tennessee considers a new wildfire training program; Maine looks to biochar to improve soil health; and a white paper on combining coal and forest residuals for energy.
Finally, El Niño is now a distant memory—so will we feel winter’s wrath?
Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog Editor
MONTREAL – Unifor members of Council 4000 and Local 100 at Canadian National Railway (CN Rail) have voted overwhelmingly in favour of strike action, with 96% of Local 100 members and 97% of Council 4000 members supporting the mandate, preparing to take action should an agreement not be reached by January 1, 2025. “This overwhelming vote sends a clear message to CN that our members are united and prepared to take action to achieve the fair treatment and respect they deserve,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “Our members have had enough of concessions that erode their rights and livelihoods and they are standing strong to demand a contract that reflects their value and the critical role they play in CN’s success.” The decisive vote underscores the frustration and determination of CN workers who have been advocating for job security, fair compensation and improved working conditions.
Vietnam’s wood processing and export industry is on track to surpass its 2024 export target of 15.2 billion USD, navigating through complicated market developments with strategic adaptability. Statistics from the General Department of Vietnam Customs showed that Vietnam’s wood export turnover in the first 11 months of 2024 was estimated at over 14.6 billion USD. Industry experts said seeing the market’s robust recovery signs, enterprises have proactively outlined production plans and sought new markets. According to Vice Chairman of the Handicraft and Wood Industry Association of Ho Chi Minh City Nguyen Chanh Phuong, the US now accounts for 54% of the Vietnamese wood exports. …Chairman of the Binh Duong Furniture Association Nguyen Liem highlighted the efforts of local firms to bolster shipments, including making innovative product designs that are attracting international customers and pivoting to e-commerce channels, demonstrating flexibility in their sales strategies. 
Mass timber construction …has exploded in recent years, exemplified by buildings like Ascent, a high-rise in Milwaukee, and the new terminal at the Portland Airport. Industry group Woodworks predicts 20% growth in new projects. And passive house design, the ultra-energy efficient methodology of building, has also exploded, with numerous examples of homes, hospitals, high-rises, and even affordable housing built according to the standard. But this progress is at risk with a new Trump administration coming into power. Proposed tariffs by the incoming Trump administration may increase the prices of many items. But for architects and advocates working on more efficient and sustainable buildings, there’s fear that tariffs could impact specific materials and machines that are key to their work. Higher costs from tariffs, may slow down the pick up of these construction techniques, making such buildings more expensive, and slowing down the effort to cut emissions from buildings and the built environment.
On the whole, modern buildings have large carbon footprints, thanks to pollution-heavy concrete, steel, insulation, and more. …So it’s no surprise that the search is underway to shrink emissions. …These developments are mostly written about in scientific research papers and professional journals … here are just a sampling:
Non-profit organisation Two Sides is calling on organisations to remove or change misleading statements that it labels as ‘greenwashing’. …According to the organisation, economic pressures have caused companies which have previously relied on paper for customer communication to shift from traditional paper-based services to digital platforms, in order to cut costs. Alongside this transition, many companies have made environmental marketing claims such as “Go Green – Go Paperless” or “Choose e-billing and help save a tree.” But according to Two Sides, these claims are misleading, and are clear examples of greenwashing. …Two Sides has challenged over 2,800 organisations communicating these greenwashing messages to their customers, resulting in more than 1,260 changing or removing statements. …“Far from ‘saving trees,’ a healthy market for forest products and paper encourages the long-term growth of forests through sustainable forest management.”
In this newsletter, headlines include:
IDAHO, USA — Placerville is nestled behind Bogus Basin, in the Boise National Forest. The town of 53 is known for its forest solitude – but that isn’t what home insurance companies are looking for. Resident Steve Koppes was dropped from his home insurance company a year and half ago, because his home was in a wildfire-prone area. “I didn’t get notification, I didn’t get reasons. I was just dropped,” Koppes said. Koppes had had the same insurance for years, and never had a claim of any kind. …Each city is ranked on a scale by the Idaho Insurance Ratings Bureau, and Placerville has sat at a level eight since 2010. “The higher the number, the worse off you are,” Placerville Fire Chief Andrew Bourett said. He has done everything he could to make that rating lower – to make getting home insurance easier – but it’s a challenge because of Placerville’s remote location.
Regina, SK – Carbon RX Inc. is proud to announce a new partnership with the Pimicikamak Cree Nation to assist in forest management and preservation of First Nation lands in Manitoba. The project includes 3 million acres of traditional lands in the Canadian boreal forest, home to the Pimicikamak people. “We are the original keepers of the land,” said Chief David Monias, Chief of Pimicikamak. “As part of our inherent rights, we proudly hold historic environmental sovereignty over our traditional lands. We can use modern techniques like carbon crediting to protect and preserve these lands for the next generation. We encourage other Nations to do the same.” First Nation forests generate carbon credits by acting as Mother Earth’s solar panels and absorbing and storing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere through photosynthesis. When a forest is managed sustainably or restored, the additional carbon sequestered can be quantified and verified as carbon credits.