Use Wood—Combat Climate Change

Abstract

The most debated non-political issue in the present world is perhaps the matter related to climate change. Deforestation and reduction in forest cover especially in tropical countries have been said to be closely related to this issue. A close insight reveals that growing and use of timber are the only solution to combat climate change. On an average, a typical tree absorbs, through photosynthesis, the equivalent of 1 ton of CO₂ for every cubic metre growth, while producing the equivalent of 0.7 ton of oxygen. Encouraging the use of wood products can act as a greener alternative to more fossil fuel intensive materials. Substitution of a cubic metre of wood for other construction materials (concrete, bricks) results in significant CO₂ savings. The combined effect of carbon storage and substitution means that 1 m³ of wood stores 0.9 ton CO₂ and substitutes 1.1 tons of CO₂—a total of 2.0 tons of CO₂. For non-conventional energy, the ultimate source, directly or indirectly, is the sun. The total radiation (energy) reaching to earth from sun is 5.7 × 10²⁴ J per year, and total energy (electricity/heat) produced by burning coal/petroleum per day is 54.37 EJ/year (exa-joule, EJ = 10¹⁸ J). The best way for tapping solar energy is by growing trees which can give material as well as energy. Growing trees and use it as material and energy source will create a cycle for rotation of carbon in atmosphere, sink and store. The resource from which construction/consumable material and energy being made are from minerals, coal and petroleum which are limited in earth storage and will be exhausted one day or other. We have no other choice but to look at the sun for ultimate need of energy. The major question is whether the vegetative system alone can meet the entire nutrient, energy and material need of living kingdom on the earth. For the nutrient supply, the answer is “YES” and already doing so. The living consumers, whether herbivore or carnivore, whether in aquatic or terrestrial system, are dependent, directly or indirectly, on plants which prepares food through photosynthesis or chemosynthesis by utilizing solar energy. Similarly the average residence time in natural forest from 20–120 years can be brought down to 5–10 years with fast growing plantation timber. Agricultural residue, which can also be converted into structural component, can be generated in 3–12 months. Now it is the right time to think and utilize what scheme might be used to manage the resources in nature.