Forest Products Industry’s Experience Supports IPCC’s Wake-up Call
April 06 2007, Ottawa, ON
—Mountain Pine Beetle Epidemic Serves as Graphic Illustration of IPCC’s Warnings—
The Forest Products Association of Canada (FPAC) today responded to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s report, Climate Change 2007: Impact, Adaptation and Vulnerability, by urging more rapid action on the part of all industry sectors and governments to address the impact that climate change is already having on Canada’s ecosystems.
“This report is an important wake up call to all; climate change is not just a future problem, it is here today and it is having very real impact on Canada,” said Avrim Lazar, President and CEO of FPAC. “The devastating impact of the pine beetle plague is an all too graphic example of just how vulnerable Canada’s environment and eco-systems are to a changed climate, and the rest of the world is no less vulnerable.” continued Lazar.
The current mountain pine beetle epidemic has already destroyed a forest area in British Columbia the size of New Brunswick, has crossed the Rockies and now threatens to spread across the country. The beetle’s surge is directly attributable to the mild winter temperatures which have allowed the beetle population to survive winter.
“Canada’s forest products sector is issuing a call to action for all industry sectors to re-tool to reduce the environmental impact of their operations.” continued Lazar. “Our industry has extensively re-tooled to reduce emissions. FPAC members alone have already exceeded the Kyoto target by 7 times, reducing their greenhouse gas emissions by 44%. Additionally, by completely regenerating the forests, they are ensuring that these will continue to serve as a carbon pool.”
“Today’s IPCC report serves to highlight the need for climate change adaptation measures and strategies. Mitigation alone will not stop climate change – it will only help slow it down and reduce its intensity in the medium term,” added Lazar. “The fact remains that we now live in a changed climate. Yet, despite the evidence of a changed climate, governments have under-invested in preparedness. Canada’s experience with the pine beetle demonstrates that a robust preparedness program is urgently needed.”
FPAC is the voice of Canada’s wood, pulp and paper producers nationally and internationally in government, trade and environmental affairs. Canada’s forest industry represents 3% of Canada’s GDP and exports over $40 billion of wood, pulp and paper annually. The industry is one of Canada’s largest employers, operating in hundreds of Canadian communities and providing nearly 900,000 direct and indirect jobs across the country.
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For more information, contact:
Isabelle Des Chênes
Director, Communications
Forest Products Association of Canada
(613) 563-1441 ext: 323
ideschenes@fpac.ca
