The debate regarding the logging of old-growth forests has come to the forefront of public attention in recent years.
As a young person who cares about the future of our earth, I believe that old-growth logging should be curtailed immediately.
What is so special about old-growth forests, and what is all the fuss about ensuring they are protected?
At surface level, the answer is simple. Climate change.
Old-growth trees absorb carbon from the atmosphere, and as they age, they get even better at it. 70 per cent of carbon stored in a tree is accumulated over the second half of its life.
As scientists seek to improve our systems and decrease our carbon emissions, we continue to destroy one of our biggest assets. The rate at which we are destroying old growth means that future generations may never get the experience of walking through a forest of trees as old as the ones we have now.
Our trajectory also means we will continue to exacerbate climate change’s effects and further jeopardize our children’s future.
Show your support for our old growth by writing a letter to the provincial minister of forests Bruce Ralston, donating to forest protection initiatives such as Sierra Club BC, Raincoast Conservation Foundation and Ancient Forest Alliance, and by continuing to educate yourself and others about this crucial issue.
Kiran Hollmann Prichard is a qathet Regional District resident.
