Parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), met in Panama City, Panama. The representatives of more than 160 governments negotiated for more than two weeks to on important issues facing the trade in endangered animals and plants. The net result is that over 100 species of trees and 400 species of animals are now subject to CITES trade oversight. States that do not meet the reporting and compliance requirements will have their trade restricted in specimens of CITES-listed species.
Source: https://cites.org/eng/news/record-number-of-species-to-be-regulated-by-cites-after-cop19
LVL Windmill Blades?
Sustainability has long been a challenge for the wind industry. The most expensive parts are the blades. Crafted of a composite of glass, carbon fiber, and plastic is a unique material that gives the blade strength and durability. Unfortunately, there’s not much you can do with a windmill blade except bury it after it’s no longer useful. Stora Enso is manufacturing Laminated Veneer Lumber (LVL) blades along with German startup Voodin Blades. Testing will begin soon on a smaller 20-meter version before moving to the standard 80-meter size.
Source: https://www.rechargenews.com/wind/longer-lumber-wooden-wind-turbine-pioneers-plan-80-metre-blade/2-1-1355600
Concrete, Steel, or Wood?
The choice of building materials has ever been a concern for those who design structures. Each material has properties that make it outstanding. As architects and engineers look forward, what blend of materials will they use to balance strength, aesthetics, cost, time, and carbon requirements?
Source: https://www.architectmagazine.com/technology/concrete-steel-or-wood-searching-for-zero-net-carbon-structural-materials_o
$19 Billion USD and almost two decades of cutting carbon emissions were erased in California’s 2020 fire season.
Researchers at UCLA and the University of Chicago estimated that about 127 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent were released by the California fires in 2020, compared with about 65 million metric tons of reductions achieved in the previous 18 years.
The researchers contend that wildfire emissions or “natural emissions” should also be considered as a major contributor to greenhouse gases when planning reduction goals.
Source: https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2022-10-20/california-wildfires-offset-greenhouse-gas-reductions
Lewis County wants answers on a “Carbon Project” that would take millions from their budget
The Washington Department of Natural Resources is fast-tracking a proposal to stop the management of 10,000 acres of forest land to be used as a voluntary “Carbon Project’. Critics suggest that it’s “Green-washing” the pollution of deep-pocketed polluters by selling the credits at a rate lower than what Lewis County would make off of a working forest. Lewis County contends that they would lose millions of dollars used to maintain schools, libraries, roads, and emergency first responder equipment (fire, police, etc) without understanding the impacts on the environment, wildlife, and the risk of wildfire.
Source: https://www.chronline.com/stories/commentary-dnr-fails-to-disclose-environmental-and-social-impacts-of-carbon-scheme,302149
Interfor to take advantage of the holidays to curtail production
With the increased interest rates and market uncertainty, demand slowed for building materials – including lumber. The reduced number of housing starts has opened up maintenance windows. Interfor will use this pause to return to curtailed production around Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Source: https://vancouversun.com/business/local-business/interfor-lumber-production-cut
Free logs?
These logs might be a little punky but they’re free. The city of Grand Rapids, MI will have its first log giveaway on November 5th and 6th.
Source: https://www.woodtv.com/news/grand-rapids/looking-for-lumber-gr-giving-away-free-logs/
New IBC allows 18 story wood buildings without variance
Wood is arguably one of the oldest – if not the oldest building materials. Now with new technology, wood buildings can be assembled like legos. And, because the timbers glued together are so thick, they are incredibly fire-resistant – more than steel. The most recent revision of the International Building Code allows for skyscrapers of wood. Look for the new green building boom.
Source: https://www.axios.com/2022/04/26/wooden-skyscrapers-mass-timber
Another year of no pattern to lumber sales
2020 to a large extent, ended predictable lumber sales volumes and prices. This year is no different. Prior to the pandemic, going into the winter months generally heralded lower prices and a slower business cycle as construction slowed during the winter months. Hurricane devastation may turn that around. Check it out. https://www.lesprom.com/en/news/North_American_lumber_prices_drop_due_to_autumn_slowdown_104956/
Would you trust your home to the Forest Service?
The Forest Service is the caretaker of our National Forests, many of which abut private timberland. Unfortunately, policies over decades and a lack of funding have created an environment where there’s a lot of fuel on the forest floor and not enough mitigation. Case in point – the community of Grizzly Flats. It was wiped out in the Caldor Fire and the Forest Service has not adequately responded to charges of mismanagement.
BLUF: If your land is close to the Federal Forest, you might want to make your own fire breaks and thin around your property. It could be the difference.
Source: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/caldor-fire-california-us-forest-service-60-minutes-transcript-2022-10-02/