Machine Nation

[905]

I see there's a discussion of forestry in the 'ole climate change debate. It seems that forestry is quite expensive.

I was under the impression that half of the US was covered in forests. A lot of the area along the east coast was farmland till around a century ago; when it was abandoned for various reasons the forest just moved back in, uninvited but welcome in the environmental scheme of things.

[johnfás]

It is quite profitable as well, isn't it? I think I read in the last few weeks that Coillte have made record profits. Anyone who has seen the amount of trees chopped on the path up Three Rock Mountain will understand why.

[cactus flower]

http://www.inff.ie/index.php?id=2

The INFSS's Nora Dalton has emailed me to let me know that there is a biodiversity event on tomorrow at the Manch Estate, Ballineen, County Cork

Biodiversity
It’s the Variety in Nature
that gives us Life
Biodiversity, or Biological diversity, refers to
the variety of all life forms on Earth, from the
butterflies in your garden and the plants they
feed from to predatory eagles and the biggest
whales in the sea. Biodiversity is also
the basis of human existence, our life support
system. Come along to celebrate International
Day for Biological Diversity, have
fun and find out more, with a day of arts and
crafts, talks, walks, and hands on workshops,
food stalls and a farmers’ market.
All events are free of charge and are sure to
make for a fun and valuable day out for all
the family. Contributions to support INFF's
work would be greatly appreciated. See
www.inff.ie and www.noticenature.ie for further details

[Pax]

It is quite profitable as well, isn't it? I think I read in the last few weeks that Coillte have made record profits. Anyone who has seen the amount of trees chopped on the path up Three Rock Mountain will understand why.

I think it's one of the largest imports into the EU. Which highlights the importance of native forestry in terms of carbon sinks. Demand can only increase over the next century with those wood burners and house building etc.

[Auditor #9]

Japan is 74% forested - it's a bit of a disgrace how we're dealing with it here I feel - poor incentives for broadleaf etc. There must be plenty of bog for those good trees; more carbon taxes might incentivise us to plant them for offsetting but also for leisure.

[ibis]

Japan is 74% forested - it's a bit of a disgrace how we're dealing with it here I feel - poor incentives for broadleaf etc. There must be plenty of bog for those good trees; more carbon taxes might incentivise us to plant them for offsetting but also for leisure.

As people have pointed out to me in the past, they export their deforestation.

[Auditor #9]

How?

[ibis]

How?

They buy in wood from the Phillippines and the rest of South-East Asia rather than cut down their own. They're a leading cause of deforestation in South-East Asia, because they do use vast amounts of wood.

[Auditor #9]

They use it faster than it is replenished - are they a net deforester do you know? Otherwise they might be encouraging forestry in other countries... Is their usage of it net destructive or do they have the inclination to maintain sustainable imports?

[ibis]

They use it faster than it is replenished - are they a net deforester do you know? Otherwise they might be encouraging forestry in other countries... Is their usage of it net destructive or do they have the inclination to maintain sustainable imports?

That's a good question - I don't know whether Japan makes any effort to assure the sustainability of the wood it imports.

[Auditor #9]

There's this worldmapper page but it's not very helpful.
http://www.worldmapper.org/textindex/text_resources.html

Some stats to keep an eye out for then - world forestry resource management and monitoring.

[905]

Japan is 74% forested - it's a bit of a disgrace how we're dealing with it here I feel - poor incentives for broadleaf etc. There must be plenty of bog for those good trees; more carbon taxes might incentivise us to plant them for offsetting but also for leisure.

As people have pointed out to me in the past, they export their deforestation.

It's all in Jared Diamond's 'Collapse'. He devoted a good chunk to Japan's reforestation, but I don't think he mention's their importing wood till much later in the book.

[Pax]

Japan is 74% forested - it's a bit of a disgrace how we're dealing with it here I feel - poor incentives for broadleaf etc. There must be plenty of bog for those good trees; more carbon taxes might incentivise us to plant them for offsetting but also for leisure.

As people have pointed out to me in the past, they export their deforestation.

It's all in Jared Diamond's 'Collapse'. He devoted a good chunk to Japan's reforestation, but I don't think he mention's their importing wood till much later in the book.

Speaking of Collapse. New Scientist had a piece a few weeks ago about increasing complexity in civilisations, their downfall and how the requirement for complex solutions is a part. But at the same time the problem of diminishing returns on investment into research and the dangers of not being willing to invest and to do away with older systems. I can't remember all of it, but I might add it to the Collapse thread if I find it.

[Auditor #9]

Petition online here regarding sale of land by Coillte - I found another group elsewhere complaining about Coillte - anyone know anything about them as they seem to be a loose cannon around the place, selling land and chopping down trees left right and centre.

http://www.petitiononline.com/rfpii/petition.html

[lostexpectation]

did you read the story about coillte to having not giving any of its profits to the gov for the last 15 years!

[Auditor #9]

did you read the story about coillte to having not giving any of its profits to the gov for the last 15 years!

The Soapbox Ireland blogspot has a story on it as you can see

http://soapboxireland.blogspot.com/2008/05/coillte-has-made-no-payments-to.html

[eoinmn]

Coillte are selling off my local forest for a quarry.

Moyode is a substantial forest and is home to red squirrels.
http://www.savemoyodewood.com/

[cactus flower]

Coillte are a semi state organisation that was given ownership of Irelands extensive forestry lands. They have always repeated that they are legally obliged to operate on a profit making basis. I presume the Dail could revisit the terms of their operation ?

Local County Development Plans could adopt policy to protect these woods by amendment of the plan. Local councillors propose and vote on these amendments. Quarries also require planning permission and you should use to the full the timeframe for objections and appeals if you disagree with what it proposed. It is important to do things by the correct date, correct fee etc. or you will get nowhere.

Who is the responsible Minister ?

[905]

I think this falls under agriculture. A chance for the new fella to make his position on squirrels clear.

[eoinmn]

Local County Development Plans could adopt policy to protect these woods by amendment of the plan. Local councillors propose and vote on these amendments. Quarries also require planning permission and you should use to the full the timeframe for objections and appeals if you disagree with what it proposed. It is important to do things by the correct date, correct fee etc. or you will get nowhere.

Who is the responsible Minister ?

The company has two shareholders, I think. The minister for Agriculture and the minister for Finance.

Good points regarding planning permission and the CDP.
I've made a submission on the County Development Plan regarding recognising Moyode as an amenity.
I don't think planning permission has been applied for yet.