Two Sides Releases New Paper and Sustainable Forestry Infographic

This week, Two Sides North America, Chicago, Ill., USA, released an "engaging infographic" that presents key facts about the relationship between Paper and Sustainable Forestry, encouraging people to share it in celebration of Earth Day yesterday, April 22.

Noting that the wise use of the world’s forests is critical to our survival and a healthy environment,

Cover one third of the earth’s land and absorb massive amounts of carbon dioxide, making them a major instrument in mitigating climate change
Absorb airborne impurities and give off oxygen allowing us to breathe clean air
Protect our watersheds and provide us with clean water
Are home to the majority of the world’s terrestrial species, and many people around the world—1.6 billion according to the World Wildlife Fund—depend on forests for their livelihoods.

We are often led to believe that using paper is bad for the environment and that forest practices always lead to eroded lands and fewer trees—not so in North America, Two Sides emphasizes. As the infographic illustrates:

Forests in the U.S. and Canada grow significantly more wood than is harvested each year,
Most paper is made using wood by-products (chips) from the lumber industry and recycled paper rather than whole trees which are typically used for lumber production
Wood from well-managed forests is a sustainable resource that is renewable, recyclable and can be planted, grown, harvested and replanted.

During the last 20 years, the forest industry worldwide has developed a number of respected certification programs that ensure the paper you use has come from a sustainable forest source. These include the Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®), the Sustainable Forestry Initiative® (SFI®) program, the American Tree Farm System® (ATFS), and systems endorsed by the international Program for the Endorsement of Forest Certifica¬tion (PEFC).

"When you buy paper and other forest products," Two Sides advises, "look for one of the symbols shown on the infographic and you will know you are supporting responsible forest management practices. By demanding sustainably produced forest products, we create incentive to properly manage forests and preserve forested lands for future generations."