The UK government approved Drax’s bioenergy with ‘carbon capture and storage‘ project, despite opposition. In other Business news: BC’s Premier Eby appoints Andrew Mercier Minister of State for Sustainable Forestry Innovation; COFI’s Linda Coady says we need to invest to transform BC’s industry; and David Elstone opines on what’s coming in 2024. Elsewhere: Resolute’s Calhoun mill had a small fire; GreenFirst announced Terry Skiffington as new paper mill CEO; and Boise Cascade’s Tom Hoffman is retiring.
In Forestry/Climate news: the debate continues on how Canada’s forest emissions are tallied; climate change is reshaping forests differently across the US; a Quebec man has confessed to setting 14 forest fires; and West Virginia reports out on its very active 2023 fire season.
Finally, despite the cold front—more than 100 wildfires are still burning in BC.
Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog Editor
“Enormous” cuts to forestry will “torpedo” Scotland’s chances of meeting its climate targets, Woodland Trust Scotland and Confor have said. The conservation charity and timber industry body have condemned proposals for a “massive” 41% cut in the funding to support woodland creation and management through the Forestry Grant Scheme. Scottish Forestry is facing cuts of more than £32 million from its grant budget following the Budget announcement by Finance Secretary Shona Robison last month. Alastair Seaman, director of Woodland Trust Scotland, said: “The Scottish Government must remember that warm words won’t stop climate change or restore nature. “We need investment in new woodland – and fast – if we are to have any hope of a strong economy and a healthy landscape in the years to come.
Climate change is reshaping forests differently across the United States, according to a new analysis of U.S. Forest Service data. …The study, led by UF Biology researchers J. Aaron Hogan and Jeremy W. Lichstein … reveals a pronounced regional imbalance in forest productivity, a key barometer of forest health that gauges tree growth and biomass accumulation. Over the past two decades, the Western U.S., grappling with more severe climate change impacts, has exhibited a notable slowdown in productivity, while the Eastern U.S., experiencing milder climate effects, has seen slightly accelerated growth. …”Our results highlight the need for reduced global greenhouse gas emissions,” said Lichstein. “Without the emissions reductions that scientists have been urging for decades, forest carbon sinks will likely weaken, which will accelerate the pace of climate change.”