Society supports an economy based on biomaterial from forest
A new thesis from SLU show that there is societal support for using biomaterials from forests instead of fossil fuels as well as enhancing biodiversity. Increased use of biomaterials would benefit from measures that monitors forest conditions to assess any long-term effects on forests.
Using biomass from forests to substitute fossil fuels when making plastics, energy and houses would be part of a forest bioeconomy. It would most likely entail an increased harvest to supply a growing demand of forest products. According to Dohun Kim, there is a societal acceptance in Sweden and Norway to move towards a forest bioeconomy, preferably keeping the harvest on the present levels. There is also a societal preference to enhance biodiversity.
— This indicates that any policies should safeguard other forest benefits, as well as monitoring the effects of harvesting, says Dohun Kim.
For a closer look at the possible effects of increased harvesting. Dohun turns in his thesis towards the US state of Georgia. The EU Renewable Energy Directive increased the share of renewable energy, and this included the use of wood pellets from the US state Georgia. The industry grew exponentially but with little negative effects on the vegetation in the area of increased harvesting was found.
In conclusion, Dohun Kim find forest bioconomy to be a viable path forward but does encourage communicating its benefits to society as well as closely monitoring forest conditions to assess any long-term effects on all the benefits of forests.
The thesis: Toward a Forest Bioeconomy: four essays on applied economics
Contact
-
Person