Climate change is a controversial topic that usually sparks many different FEELINGS here in Louisiana! But I think that we can agree, that leaving a smaller footprint on our planet will provide a healthier environment for our future generations. But no matter what side of the fence you are on “climate change” could be a huge economic engine for Louisiana!!
Healthy managed forests sequester CO2 and then can be converted into an energy source or be used to build mass-timber buildings in which it continues to sequester CO2. Resources such as iron ore, coal, and limestone, once removed, are gone forever. Trees can be returned to the earth and renewed for future generations. No other resource on earth can match its environmental advantages!
Louisiana Provides an amazing opportunity to find a solution! But HOW? Louisiana’s vast timberlands cover 14 million acres almost 50% of our land mass, making it the state’s greatest single land use. Louisiana timber owners reforest the land each year with over 128 MILLION saplings (young trees)!! YES, I said MILLION!! That is a minimum of 29 trees for every Louisiana Citizen!! Through the work of Proper Timber Management, renewable growth, harvesting contractors and haulers, manufacturing facilities, and Replanting and Reforestation, Louisiana provides one of the largest fiber baskets in the US. Our Grand timberlands are known as one of the major CARBON SINKS! Through the engineering of DEF systems on our engines and carbon offsets; The Louisiana Timber Management teams are working on CARBON NEGATIVITY!!
What’s a CARBON SINK: “Forests are typically carbon sinks, places that absorb more carbon than they release. They continually take carbon out of the atmosphere through the process of Photosynthesis” (http://www.nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/carbon-sources-and-sinks/)
What are CARBON OFFSETS: An action intended to compensate for the emission of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere as a result of industrial or other human activity. PLANTING 12-15 trees for every ONE, Harvested. Young trees or saplings sequester carbon at a much higher rate than that of older trees because they need the carbon to grow.
For many years, Louisiana Timber Management teams have been providing clean air, great jobs and great products that are 100% recyclable for our everyday use. But here in Louisiana, we are on the brink of something monumental that will move the timber industry even further into CARBON NEGATIVITY by CARBON CAPTURE and SEQUESTER!! Talk about Fighting Climate Change!
Biofuels from trees! Because of the advancement in science and the vast timberlands, sustainability and reforestation in our state, Louisiana is the perfect place to work towards Biofuels from our amazing trees. Our Louisiana Logging Work Force is second to none (YES! I am biased and this is my opinion!) and will be able to provide the feedstock needed to produce diesel, while capturing the carbon and storing it in tanks deep under the ground! Diesel from trees and not just the trunk but the branches, needles and fruit. Although, electric “everything” maybe enticing…. Living in the path of so many natural disasters prevent Louisianians from ever being able to fully depend on electricity. Along with our rough terrain?? Biofuels is the future and Louisiana is prepared!
What is CARBON CAPTURE and Sequester: It is the process of capturing carbon dioxide before it enters the atmosphere, transporting it, and storing it (carbon sequester) for centuries.
No matter your FEELINGS, on renewable harvests and hauling, Louisiana Loggers and Log Haulers work to provide healthier forests, fire preventions, and help cut down on disease within the forests. While providing recyclable products that decompose or can be recycled and reused.
ECONOMIC ENGINE: If keeping the environment clean or leaving a smaller imprint on the planet, doesn’t excite you, JOB creation, should! Foresters, Loggers, Log Haulers, Manufacturing, Land managers and the supply chain from the Forest Industry make up the second largest employer in the state of Louisiana. It’s the gift that keeps on giving! Unlike other fuel sources, we can continue to rely on the regrowth of Timber Plantations that will continue to provide great resources for many generations to come!
Louisiana’s Green Fuel Plant: https://strategicbiofuels.net/louisiana-green-fuels/
More information on Louisiana Loggers Green Efforts: https://www.louisianaloggers.com/news/geaux-green-louisiana
More information about ENSYN: Ensyn - Renewable Fuels and Chemicals
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-Toni McAllister, Executive Director