Where is Our Wood Going?
Trees contribute to their environment by providing oxygen, improving air quality, climate amelioration, conserving water, preserving soil, and supporting wildlife. Using the process of photosynthesis, trees take in carbon dioxide and produce the oxygen we breathe.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, “One acre of forest absorbs six tons of carbon dioxide and puts out four tons of oxygen. This is enough to meet the annual needs of 18 people.” Trees, shrubs, and turf also filter air by removing dust and absorbing other polluting substances like carbon monoxide and other toxic gases. After trees catch those unhealthy particles, rain washes them to the ground.
Trees control climate by moderating the effects of the sun, rain, and wind. Leaves absorb and filter the sun’s radiant energy, keeping things cool in summer. Trees also preserve warmth by providing a screen from harsh wind. Trees also lower the air temperature and reduce the heat intensity of the greenhouse effect by maintaining low levels of carbon dioxide.
It’s fair to say that trees play a huge role in our daily lives even if we do not see it so easily.
Wildfires and Loss Of Land
Each year, forest fires consume millions of acres of land, destroying thousands of homes and properties around the world. We have seen it happen in Australia, and many parts of The United States.
As a big driver of climate change, wildfires release huge quantities of greenhouse gases to the atmosphere. In British Columbia, for example, extreme fire years in 2017 and 2018 each produced three times more greenhouse gases than all other sectors of the province combined. While trees can and do regrow after fires, building back carbon takes time, which is exactly what we lack in the fight against climate change.
Wasted Wood From Different Industries
Wood waste is the second-largest component of construction debris after concrete. It contributes 20 percent to 30 percent of the building-related works total. Overall, wood accounts for around 10 percent of all material deposited in landfills annually.
Around 70.6 million tons of urban wood waste was generated in the U.S. in 2010. All of those numbers combined raise huge concerns for policymakers and environmental activists due to the threat it poses to climate.
Upcycling Wood To Save Our Planet
Upcycling is defined as creating something new from discarded materials by repairing, refurbishing, or repurposing them. What formed from a growing concern about collective waste has become an outlet of creativity for many people who are focused on keeping things out of landfills to support a cleaner planet. There are many techniques used to upcycle, as well as many products that can be upcycled. Furniture is one of them.
Through upcycling, high-quality and unique furniture have had the chance to be created. Using great craftsmanship skills, wood that once was thought to have no use is now being transformed into a signature piece.
To protect the environment, firms, industries, and other entities all over the world have been implementing several solutions towards a transition of a zero-emissions society. From 2015 numerous actions were taken concerning the goal fixed by the UN under the ‘2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). SDGs serve as blueprints to achieve a better and more sustainable future.17 goals, 169 targets, 1034 events, 1221 publications, 5285 actions are an essential history’s part to tackle climate change and preserve our oceans and forests.
We can see here how crucial forests and trees, in general, are to the overall wellbeing of our planet. Wood upcycling is vital to increase the life cycle of products while decreasing material waste and saving raw materials.
You can contribute to such initiatives simply through your daily choices and decisions when purchasing products. Instead of a brand new bed frame, you can choose an upcycles one that looks just the same with the same (or even better!) quality yet not have any concerns about the carbon footprint being created by you.
Contact us using our contact information listed to know how we can help you in creating what you need for sustainable and low-impact furniture that is sure to wow anyone who sets eyes on it.