Buying plantation grown sustainable furniture is supporting the idea of progression. Each year measures are taken in conserving and protecting additional dense old growth, tropical rain forests, and animals that are slowly losing their natural habitats.

Plantation forests and sustainable furniture play a big role in the future of these amazing wonders of the world. Due to the increasing population of the world, and to prevent any future shortages, there needs to be more land dedicated to plantation forestry each year. This plan for the future is highly dependent on manufactured goods like eco friendly furniture.

Often there is an issue brought up of the quality of wood used in sustainable furniture from plantation forests. This was a problem in the past, but through scientific studies the best strains of trees have been isolated and proven excellent for breeding. Modern green future is in no way inferior to naturally grown timber, and in some cases is actually superior.

Sustainable furniture at its best

The mission of the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is to “promote environmentally appropriate, socially beneficial, and economically viable management of the world’s forests.” In underdeveloped areas of the world, creating financial revenue can lead to irresponsible deforestation. The FSC seeks to preserve the world’s forests and provide adequate revenue without devastating natural forest resources, ecosystems, or individual cultures and societies. Green furniture promotion is a realization of one of the FSC’s goals.

An example of reclaimed teak furniture.

By setting standards and international regulations, and working to progressively push the standards, they strive to assure the forests of the world will be prosperous. Sustainable furniture, according to the FSC, is made from lumber that companies harvest with restrictions in production to prevent over logging; they forbid hazardous pesticides, exclude the farming of genetically modified trees, and the producers never negatively impact areas which support the habitat of endangered animals.

Through the increase in demand of sustainable furniture lifelong jobs are created by plans that stretch years into the future. This will impact local workers and communities with the motivation of sustainable living for generations. There are also measures taken to guarantee workers rights are not violated. Manufactures of sustainable furniture may benefit from government subsidies because of their responsible practices.

Sustainable furniture starts with sustainable forestry. This is basically a concept of long term forest management where there is a plan to control what is harvested and what is left untouched. This is done to sustain vigorous ecosystems by protecting seed baring trees and old growth trees. Also the condition of the land and soil are taken into consideration on a long term basis to prevent human impacts like caused erosion and wildfires.

There are different ways materials are harvested for green furniture. Single selection cutting is one tactic used to imitate nature by choosing each tree individually to be harvested in a certain area to promote healthier forests for the future. The group selection method is similar; it’s when trees are chosen by a diameter standard, leaving trees of a certain age to maintain the natural environment. The shelterwood technique is where typically 15-20 trees are harvested per acre in areas where wind and other weather conditions could destroy the land if there was an inadequate amount of growth. Clearcut regeneration is practiced in areas that would be affected by natural disasters like fire or flood, where the land is cleared of trees and then new growth is encouraged either artificially or naturally. Another method used in this industry is to maintain passageways of dense forest between segments of harvesting areas connecting wildlife habitats to prevent a disruption in the ecosystems and allow seeds to be transferred by animals and insects.

The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is a leading certification organization of eco friendly furniture that not only protects wildlife but works to maintain sustainable societies by improving wages, working conditions, and the health and well being of communities that practice sustainable forestry. When you buy FSC certified sustainable furniture you are not only contributing to the efforts and practices of logging companies, you are also supporting the workers and their families.

So what’s the problem with human-caused deforestation that is so important I should be concerned about investing in sustainable furniture?

Human caused deforestation occurs all over the world. The more we take from forests, without replenishing, the greater we influence the biodiversity. When forests are cleared the habitats of animals are devastated, this can lead to extinction of endangered animals. As the world population raises the demand for wood and work increase around the world. Almost every developed and underdeveloped nation has destroyed much of the natural forests, building cities and towns in place of trees. Many countries have consumed over 75% of their natural forests, much of which in the past 200 years. Entire landscapes have been decimated and continue to threaten our environment. Deforestation is a key player involved in increased greenhouse gases causing global warming. Plants and trees take carbon dioxide (CO2) out of our atmosphere during photosynthesis. Burning of fossil fuels, including wood, coal, and oil release CO2 into the air, at a rate that has been increasing for almost 200 years. Also, in deforested areas without trees the land cannot retain the amount of heat the biodiversity is accustomed to. This will result catastrophically for plants and animal, and in turn cultures and communities.

Biodiversity has a few similar definitions depending on who you ask. A basic explanation is that it is the diversity, or difference of the bio-, or life in an ecosystem. It could be defined depending on depth, meaning the amount of different animals, insects, and plants. Some will tell you that biodiversity is a range defined by how different things can be. Diversity can be divided into categories like genetic diversity, species diversity, and diversity of ecosystem and how nature interacts.

Biodiversity Hotspots are “the most remarkable places on Earth [which] are also the most threatened.” The more trees we take from these areas, the less are these creatures have to thrive, and if our actions continue we threaten these incredible areas with extinction. Ways we are working to protect these environments are through sustainable forestry, plantation grown trees, and utilizing reclaimed materials to manufacture sustainable, eco friendly furniture. Learn more about biodiversity hotspots, and what we can do to prevent them from disappearing. There is an interactive map which can be used to explore areas around the world that are unique due to climate, plant life, and wildlife.

Sustainable furniture starts with sustainable forestry. This is basically a concept of long term forest management where there is a plan to control what is harvested and what is left untouched. This is done to sustain vigorous ecosystems by protecting seed baring trees and old growth trees. Also the condition of the land and soil are taken into consideration on a long term basis to prevent human impacts like caused erosion and wildfires.

There are different ways materials are harvested for sustainable furniture. Single selection cutting is one tactic used to imitate nature by choosing each tree individually to be harvested in a certain area to promote healthier forests for the future. The group selection method is similar; it’s when trees are chosen by a diameter standard, leaving trees of a certain age to maintain the natural environment. The shelter wood technique is where typically 15-20 trees are harvested per acre in areas where wind and other weather conditions could destroy the land if there was an inadequate amount of growth. Clear cut regeneration is practiced in areas that would be affected by natural disasters like fire or flood, where the land is cleared of trees and then new growth is encouraged either artificially or naturally. Another method used in this industry is to maintain passageways of dense forest between segments of harvesting areas connecting wildlife habitats to prevent a disruption in the ecosystems and allow seeds to be transferred by animals and insects.

The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is a leading certification organization of sustainable furniture that not only protects wildlife but works to maintain sustainable societies by improving wages, working conditions, and the health and well being of communities that practice sustainable forestry. When you buy FSC certified sustainable furniture you are not only contributing to the efforts and practices of logging companies, you are also supporting the workers and their families.

The mission of the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is to “promote environmentally appropriate, socially beneficial, and economically viable management of the world’s forests.” In underdeveloped areas of the world, creating financial revenue can lead to irresponsible deforestation. The FSC seeks to preserve the world’s forests and provide adequate revenue without devastating natural forest resources, ecosystems, or individual cultures and societies.

By setting standards and international regulations, and working to progressively push the standards, they strive to assure the forests of the world will be prosperous. Sustainable furniture, according to the FSC, is made from lumber that companies harvest with restrictions in production to prevent over logging; they forbid hazardous pesticides, exclude the farming of genetically modified trees, and the producers never negatively impact areas which support the habitat of endangered animals.

Through the increase in demand of sustainable furniture lifelong jobs are created by plans that stretch years into the future. This will impact local workers and communities with the motivation of sustainable living for generations. There are also measures taken to guarantee workers rights are not violated. Manufactures of sustainable furniture may benefit from government subsidies because of their responsible practices.

Manufactured goods like sustainable furniture will proudly brandish the trademark with the FSC and/or certification organization. The FSC does not provide certification for sustainable furniture, they endorses organizations to certify forests, manufacturers, and administration. This is done to separate the FSC from those seeking certification so there is no conflict of interest. “Over 90 million hectares in more than 70 countries have been certified according to FSC standards” (FSC: Forest Stewardship Council). There are two types of certification possible. The first type of FSC certification for sustainable furniture is Forest Management (FM), which certifies that the harvester has adhered to FSC Principals of responsible forest management. Sustainable furniture can be declared that it comes from a forest that meets FSC standards, but cannot be marketed for sell as FSC certified sustainable furniture until it is COC certificated. Sustainable furniture for sale branded with the FSC logo is Chain of Custody (COC) certified. This is a ’promise’ to the consumer that means through every step of manufacturing sustainable furniture, raw material, distribution, working conditions and workers, FSC regulations are met undisturbed.

Consumers worldwide can identify this distinguishable trademark and name of the FSC associated with sustainable furniture and support conscientious management. In turn growth of this environmentally friendly industry will be necessary. The FSC manages the marketing of its certification for sustainable furniture, through local and international campaigns. They seek new markets for sustainable furniture to increase label recognition worldwide. They promote sustainable furniture based upon the environmental and social value. Learn more about Forest Stewardship Council through their site.

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With impending environmental issues that humans have created, there is a need to reverse these damaging effects. Global warming is threatening Earth’s ice caps and sensitive ecosystems, imposing destruction on both. The Kyoto Agreement is working to fight global warming, but there are other looming dangers. Deforestation by humans has aided in global warming and threatened animals faced with extinction worldwide. The world’s biodiversity hotspots are slowly disappearing.

Many organizations are advocating for restrictions on industries that can cause environmental problems. Organizations are working to protect oceans and sea life, and forests and inhabitants. There are also companies developing energy saving products. Manufactures are working on reducing the amount of greenhouse gasses they release into the atmosphere. Automobile companies are exploring new technologies that are environmentally friendly. Even cleaning product companies are producing products that are naturally derived, eliminating chemicals that can have unhealthy effects.

Over the past 200 years humans have consumed enormous amounts of Earth’s natural resources. With the world’s growing population, demand is not slowing down. Products like sustainable furniture are made to combat deforestation. Sustainable furniture can be made from timber that comes from sustainable forest, natural forests that are regulated by strict harvest and replenishing guidelines. Plantation grown wood used for sustainable furniture comes from land that is designed to produce the most amount of material in the shortest amount of time. Reclaimed lumber from old building, railroad ties, and breweries are also use to make sustainable furniture.

Other than sustainable furniture, there are many things the average person can do to cut down their own impact. If everyone does their part we can keep this planet amazing for our grandchildren. The first thing you should is replace the light bulbs in your home with energy efficient bulbs. Conserving energy is something that we can all do. Solar panels are available for many applications from charging your iPod to augmenting your energy bill. Products made from recycled plastics or metal is a good place to go next because we are reusing instead of using more resources or adding to landfills. Often, items made from particleboard contain harmful chemicals that release toxic fumes into your home during its life span, another reason to go with sustainable furniture. Always buy recycled paper when you can.

Many household cleaners are dangerous for you, your family, and the environment. They are impacted with chemicals that can be toxic, coating the surfaces of your home with poisons. You should consider using natural, non-toxic household cleaners, especially if you have children. These cleaners are not only powerful against dirt and germs; they don’t leave you breathing chemical fumes. There are laundry detergents, soaps, surface cleaners, and natural wood cleaning products for your sustainable furniture. When taking on a painting project consider a safer alternative to harmful paints. There are products for wood, metal, plastic, and drywall. These paints offered by many companies that will leave a beautiful finish without endangering your health now and in the future.

As you can see there are threats on out environment. Industry and Government are working at a better tomorrow, and there are many companies that offer everyday products like sustainable furniture that will have an impact for generations to come. We all have a responsibility to ourselves and our planet to do our part, no matter how small and insignificant, every action makes a difference.

With the accelerating depletion of the earths natural resources it is important to discover and utilize sustainable energy and material sources. We specialize in eco-friendly furniture made from reclaimed wood or recycled materials as well as information about different ways to green your home. Its important that we all do our part to protect earths remaining resources.

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