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Wood and Paper

The third largest contributor to Climate Change is the pulp and paper industry.  Tropical deforestation is responsible for about 20% of total annual GHGs, making it second only to Fossil Fuels in terms of Climate Change.  Forests play a major role in regulating global temperatures by absorbing heat-trapping CO2 from the atmosphere and storing it in their cell walls.  Earth loses more than 18 million acres of forestland every year—an area larger than Ireland—according to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

The best way to reduce emissions from tropical deforestation is to help ensure these trees are not cut down in the first place.  Your purchasing decisions can play a role in this effort.

When buying wood products, look for labels that indicate the wood comes from sustainably managed forests.  There are several forest certification programmes in place worldwide. For home improvement projects, you can avoid new wood products altogether by using reclaimed wood for floors and wood-free materials (such as composite resin boards) for other projects.

While most Australian papers are not made from tropical woods, reducing overall demand for virgin paper can have a global impact. You can support forest-friendly paper by buying paper made from sustainably harvested timber, a high percentage of post-consumer recycled content, or wood-free fibres such as kenaf.

Mandate the Australian Government to compensate countries with large rain forests if they reduce deforestation.

Use Less Paper. Use paper made from genuine post-consumer waste, and recycle your newspapers.

Cut Down On Printer Usage. Also, don't toss old faxes, reports and letters—put them in your printer face up and print on their blank side.

Rid Yourself Of Junk Mail.   E-mail or phone whoever is mailing you advertising fliers and tell them to stop as they are going straight into the recycler, and to not sell, exchange or give your contact info to other commercial interests. Write this on their envelopes and mail it to them.  When you buy online or through a catalogue, or buy a magazine subscription, tell these vendors the same.