Is Paper the Main Cause of Deforestation?

The second in a series of posts busting the myths about paper!

A lot of people associate paper production with deforestation. In fact, there are whole websites dedicated to claiming that paper production is going to end the world.

How often do you hear "you're printing half the Amazon Rainforest there!".

Or, do you have a line under your email signature saying "Please don't print this e-mail unless you really need to"?

Let me introduce you to the new version. It goes like this: "Go ahead...print this e-mail! Paper is a biodegradable, recyclable, sustainable product made from trees. Growing and harvesting trees and the production of paper and other forest products provide jobs for millions of men and women worldwide, and working forests are good for the environment, providing clean air, clean water, wildlife habitat and carbon storage."

In reality, the paper industry is responsible for reversing the effects of deforestation, through sustainable forest management and reforestation projects, such as this one set out by International Paper.

Admittedly, some papers may still come from irresponsibly-managed forests, mainly in Asia.

However, if you want to be certain that your paper is coming from a well-managed forest that respects the natural ecosystems, look out for the FSC® or PEFC™ logo on the packaging.

"The forests serve not only for wood production, but they also provide many other 

very important ecosystem services which directly or indirectly contribute to human

wellbeing, mainly provisioning, regulating and other services."

Forest Europe, 2019

So who is causing deforestation?

Most deforestation happens in the tropics, with agriculture being the primary cause.

According to WWF, deforestation is of major concern in tropical rainforests, home to much of the world’s biodiversity. For example, in the Amazon around 17% of the forest has been lost in the last 50 years, mostly due to conversion for cattle ranching. Deforestation in this region is particularly rampant near more populated areas, roads, and rivers, but even remote areas have been encroached upon when valuable mahogany, gold or oil are discovered.¹

Want to know more about the environmental impact of our papers? Just email us at sales@polycopy.co.uk for more information.

Sources:

Twosides.info

¹WWF, Deforestation and Forest Degradation, 2019

More information...