Does Paper Use Result in Deforestation?

That might have been how forests were logged decades ago, but not today. At least not in the United States, and certainly not in FSC-, SFI- and other certified forests.  

First, it’s important to understand what deforestation is. Deforestation is the permanent removal of trees and conversion of the land to another function. It’s not in the best interest of the forest products industry to devastate forests. Paper mills and other forest products companies rely on having long-term sources of high-quality fiber. It’s in their best interest to ensure that forests are harvested sustainably and responsibly.

Many certified forests are harvested using the shelter harvesting method. In this method, forests are managed by certified foresters who select no more than 15% of the trees in any one stand to be harvested. Trees are selected based on age, health, species diversity, species concentration, the need to protect natural riparian areas, and other factors. Once a section of forest is harvested, it is not revisited another 20 years. The result is a healthier, often self-regenerating forest.

Especially in the United States, a high percentage of fiber comes from privately owned forests using ecologically sensitive forest management like shelter harvesting. Far from causing deforestation, this commercial use of forests actually helps to preserve forestland by allowing it to stay in the hands of private landowners rather than being sold off for development. Many of these private forestlands are also leased for recreational use, such as hiking, hunting, and cross-country skiing.

This isn’t to say that there aren’t many benefits to old-growth, virgin forests. There are, and they are critical to our larger ecosystem, both in terms of ecology and species diversity. But the world needs paper and other forest products, too. We depend on them. We shouldn’t be afraid to harvest forests when it’s done responsibly.