5 Economic Reasons Not to Destroy the Forests |

5 Economic Reasons Not to Destroy the Forests

Here at Emerald we are passionate about saving the forest because there are just so many reasons to do so. This blog is the first of a three part series of why we need to preserve one of our planet’s most precious resources.

As we all know the forests are a beautiful and inspiring place that ideologically should be saved simply for their intrinsic value. However, did you know there are several compelling economic reasons to save the forest as well?

1. Pharmaceutical potential

Currently western medicine has only studied 1% for all rainforest plants. However, this small sample has derived 25% of all western pharmaceuticals. Furthermore, of the 3,000 plants that the U.S. Cancer Institute has identified as active against cancer cells, 70% of them come from the rainforest. Therefore, the market for plant derived medicines tops 20 billion dollars in annual sales.

2. Eco-tourism

Eco-tourism is the fastest growing sector in the entire hospitality industry. Over the past decade it has grown at an average rate of approximately 20% annually and is currently a several billion dollar industry. This industry has the potential to provide a significant amount of income for local people and greatly reduce their need to destroy the forest

3. Non timber product potential

The rainforest holds a cornucopia of edible fruits and plants that the western world is only beginning to utilize. Tropical forests worldwide have at least 3,000 fruit species, of which native people use 2,000. In the west we only use 200 of them. Recently, fruits such as Acia berries from the Amazon and Mangosteens from Southeast Asia have received much fanfare as great tasting fruits with very healthful attributes. These products can be harvested sustainably from the forest and provide significant income for local people.

4. Plethora of timber alternative products

Not only is there incredible potential for economic value in keeping the forests standing, but there is also a decreasing need to harvest wood from the forest due to an increase number of alternative wood products. These products include paper from agricultural residue and building material made from recycled inputs. For example, Emerald Brand uses Bagasse, which is the waste left behind after sugar cane is pulped, to make its tree free paper products. Also, Trex uses only reclaimed wood and plastic bags to make its quality decking material and furniture. Therefore, these types of products displace the need to cut down forests.

5. Carbon credit potential

Over the last several years REDD credits have gained a significant amount of attention in the carbon market because of their potential to be the highest quality type of carbon credit. REDD stands for Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation, and works through a process of paying local people or governments to keep forests intact. Once an agreement is in place, traders can sell carbon credits for keeping the forest standing because health forests absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and store it underground. As carbon markets develop all over the world, there is massive potential for this mechanism to help save the rainforest by monetizing the value of an undamaged forest.

All of these factors can raise the value of an acre of forest land or decrease the value of tropical hardwoods; thus making it economically insensible to cut them down. However, for this to occur we need consumers like you to vote with your wallets! Next time you’re planning a vacation why not patron a luxurious Ecolodge in the forest and then off set your travel with forest carbon credits (when their widely available)? Or next time you’re shopping for a paper or wood product why not opt to buy paper made from agricultural residue, like the Emerald Brand, or an alternative wood product like Trex?

Want to learn more?

http://www.rain-tree.com/facts.htm