Rethinking our negative perception about cutting trees
OVER the decades, we have seen countless forests around the country laid to waste because of irresponsible and illegal logging. In far too many instances, deforestation has directly contributed to tragedies in the form of flashfloods and landslides, resulting in the loss of too many lives and destruction of many communities.
These in turn have contributed to the negative perception we have about cutting trees. Whenever we hear those two words, we conjure up images of miles of forests dying because of man’s greed, loggers with chainsaws felling any and all types of trees without reverence, and destruction at the cost of our environment.
Though there is legitimate concern about illegal logging, it may be time to revisit our perception about cutting trees.
The act of cutting a tree is as natural to us human beings as starting a fire. It is ingrained into our very DNA. Wood has been a material that we have used for fuel and shelter ever since the dawn of time. Trees have provided us with countless materials that enabled humanity to progress and reach new heights.
Recognizing this, many people are now advocating sustainable forest management, a concept which recognizes the vital role of trees in our ecosystem while balancing the need of the public for wood and other byproducts.
But before changing perceptions, we must first dispel myths and fallacies that have poisoned the discourse around cutting trees.
One of the most common of these misconceptions is that if a tree has been felled, all the carbon dioxide it has absorbed throughout its lifetime through the process of photosynthesis will be released back into the atmosphere. This is not true; a tree will always keep that carbon dioxide even if it is cut down, unless it’s allowed to burn or decompose.
Another flawed belief is that all loggers, including those with proper permits, do not take into consideration the types of trees to be cut. This is not the case as they choose only old and mature trees to prevent a crowded forest and steer harm away from the younger trees.
The notion that all forms of logging do not have any positive benefits is also false. Cutting mature trees, for example, promotes regeneration, improves habitat for many species, and maintains forest health in the long run. This also provides a source of livelihood for residents in upland areas.
I believe this is one of the oft-sidelined points in this whole conversation.
Countless Filipinos, many of them in rural areas, depend on the forestry industry to provide decent livelihoods for their families in communities. Most of them recognize the vital role of trees in fighting climate change and they will be the first to tell us that they want to work with the authorities to protect the environment, while also ensuring that they continue to earn from harvesting trees.
This begs us to do something, and it really might be time to have a dramatic shift in our approach to cutting trees and the use of wood. It is time to put things in proper context. Cutting trees, if and when done responsibly, can do a whole lot of good not only for the people who depend on it but also for the environment.
Organizations like the Philippine Wood Producers Association are now leading the charge to change the nature of discourse about cutting wood. They are recalibrating the conversation and advocating for widespread adoption of sustainable forest management.
Notably, they are highlighting the fact that we can find a balance between environmental preservation and forest management that is sustainable, socially acceptable, and economically viable. It is the key to maximizing the benefits of tree cutting while keeping the negatives down to a minimum and thus help ensure that the well-being of the environment is preserved for future generations.
At the end of the day, it all boils down to one thing – sustainability. There is a sustainable way to manage our forests and enjoy the riches it can provide us. We can find a middle ground, if only we work together to strive towards it.