July 7, 2007: Rain forest to charcoal

[Coign]

Originally Posted by xoxoxoBruce

Turning those logs into charcoal is like turning cows into McBurgers... quick and easy for the consumer, but so much wasted along the way.

Except you can re-plant the cows for McBurgers. You can't replant the rainforest at any cost effective method.

[xoxoxoBruce]

Originally Posted by Coign

Except you can re-plant the cows for McBurgers. You can't replant the rainforest at any cost effective method.

Well actually all you have to do is leave it alone and wait, but that's not very time effective.
I wonder if they just planted a few common types of trees, using the same methods the lumber companies do here, if the diversity would return in time? By making a home for the critters and birds that spread seeds, it might. Of course, as I mentioned before, the soil is so poor it would take some time.

[Griff]

Originally Posted by Coign

You can't replant the rainforest at any cost effective method.

People are betting you can.

Environmental investment funds such as Quadris invest in projects to regenerate forests that have been destroyed by logging or farming in the developing world. Smaller companies such as Bournemouth-based group Oxigen Investments are taking advantage of the demand for sustainable investment opportunities. It uses investors' money to create hardwood plantations in Costa Rica - when the wood is harvested, it reduces pressure on natural rainforests and protects thousands of acres more of previously threatened rainforest. Meanwhile, the scarcity of certified sources of hardwood drives the price up, increasing the benefit to investors.