John,

Besides being cornerstones of biodiversity, old forests on federal lands play an essential role in fighting climate change. But instead of protecting the trees in these forests as climate policy, the federal government routinely chops them down in the name of "active forest management" and "restoration thinning."

Tell the Biden administration to keep these climate champions alive. [link removed]

Mature and old-growth trees capture vast amounts of carbon pollution, storing it for decades while living and even after their natural deaths if they're left in the forest. Logging immediately releases that carbon back into the atmosphere, with only a fraction of live-tree carbon stored in wood products long-term. The released carbon is irrecoverable on any time scale relevant to avoiding the worst impacts of climate change. 

Old forests are also critical for biodiversity, home to endangered wildlife like grizzly bears and spotted owls. Older trees ease flooding, help produce clean water, and are relatively resistant to wildfire.

Despite all these benefits and more, Congress just massively increased funds for logging across 30 million acres of federal forests — including commercial logging that targets large, old trees.

Tell the Agriculture and Interior departments to ban — not fund — the logging of older forests and start making policy to protect them. [link removed]
********************************************

This message was sent to [email protected].

Donate now to support the Center's work: [link removed]

Opt out of this mailing list: [link removed]

Center for Biological Diversity
P.O. Box 710
Tucson, AZ 85702
United States