boreal forests 1: kleenex 0

Yesterday, the Kimberly-Clark Corporation - maker of Kleenex, Scott and Cottonelle tissues - announced it will change production standards to increase forest conservation due to pressure from a five year Greenpeace campaign called Kleercut.

At a news conference in Washington DC, Greenpeace and Kimberly-Clark announced this historic agreement that will ensure greater protection and sustainable management of Canada's Boreal Forest. The agreement also will stand as a model for forest-products companies worldwide.

Kimberly-Clark is the largest global tissue producer, manufacturing more than 4 million tons of tissues annually. They had formerly used virgin fibers to produce the single-use tissue materials.

By the end of 2011, Kimberly-Clark will stop using any forest products derived from the Canadian boreal unless that wood is Forest Stewardship Council certified, and the company will ensure that 40% of its North American tissue fiber is either recycled or Forest Stewardship Council-certified, an increase of more than 70% over 2007 levels.

From Richard Brooks, Greenpeace Canada’s forest campaign coordinator:

Today’s announcement shows that perseverance and dedication can achieve great environmental victories even after many years of campaigning.

I expect to a large ripple effect from this policy and its implementation for years to come. We have moved a mountain and that is going to have impacts around the world.

but at what cost?

Last week, an estimated 500 migrating mallard ducks died after pitching in one of the toxic tailings ponds belonging to Syncrude Canada Ltd. in northern Alberta. That is a fraction of the birds that die each year and only the tip of iceberg on the deadly side-effects of the oil industry.

“Clearly, there's a heightened awareness in general around the oil sands and the way developments are carried out and the impact they have on the environment,” said Total S.A's (Canada) president Michael Borrell.

“When the expectations of society change, companies have to change and adapt accordingly,” said Pius Rolheiser, an Imperial spokesman said. “Companies that don't change and adapt will be in trouble.”

That should be a great mantra to go by, given the urgency over climate change and GHG's. The public is demanding that companies start behaving in a socially conscious and environmentally responsible manner otherwise...fear our wrath! Right? Well, there is that tiny little issue of money...the billions and billions of dollars to be made from the oil sands.

Development of the Alberta's boreal forest is paving the way for mines and toxic tailings ponds. That said, rapid growth is contributing to a whole host of other problems: high housing costs, severely lagging infrastructure and inflation.

Alberta is plentiful in oil and as a result there are plenty of industry-related jobs to go around...much of the young in Newfoundland and the East Coast have cleared out to go where the money is.

Global demand for oil is at an all-time high due to increased need (or is that want?). Developing nations China and India are both driving forces, but North America sure isn't helping with insatiable needs for consumer goods and growth all over the place.

Environmental Defence terms the oil sands project in Alberta the most destructive project on earth. That is a strong statement, but not one without merit...

Globe and Mail article here

Dead ducks

when the caribou's in danger, so are you

Across the country, CPAWS' chapters are working in their provinces and territories to protect Boreal Woodland caribou.

Together, they're asking the federal government to meet its obligation to protect Woodland caribou habitat under the Species at Risk Act.

Help CPAWS save the caribou's habitat and combat climate change: sign the petition and send a message to Federal Environment Minister John Baird.