More than Half a Million People Call on Forest Service to Protect Mature, Old-growth Forests and Trees
More than Half a Million People Call on Forest Service to Protect ... Earthjustice
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More than 500,000 People Call for Protection of Mature and Old-Growth Trees and Forests on Federal Land
Washington, D.C.
More than 500,000 people are calling on the U.S. Forest Service to protect mature and old-growth trees and forests from logging on federal land as a cornerstone of U.S. climate policy.
Public Comment Period Closes on Forest Service’s Rulemaking Proposal
In April, the Forest Service issued a rulemaking proposal to improve the climate resilience of federally managed forests. The public comment period on the proposal closed today.
Environmental Organizations Submit Comments
In addition to the hundreds of thousands of people who weighed in, dozens of environmental and grassroots organizations submitted comments, including the Climate Forests Campaign, a coalition of more than 120 organizations working to protect mature and old-growth trees and forests on federal land from logging.
Activists Gather to Celebrate Public Support
Activists and environmental advocates gathered today at the D.C. offices of the Department of Agriculture, which oversees the Forest Service, to celebrate the amount of public support.
Quotes from Environmental Advocates
- Blaine Miller-McFeeley, senior legislative representative at Earthjustice: “Hundreds of thousands of people from across the country have chimed in with enthusiastic support for President Biden’s order to protect mature and old-growth forests on federal land. Establishing a durable, nationwide rule to protect these vital forests would be a historic climate achievement for the U.S.”
- Garett Rose, senior attorney at the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC): “The public wants the nation’s mature forests and trees to be protected from the chainsaw, and with good reason. They store carbon. They protect imperiled species. They safeguard key waterways. It’s well past time for the federal land managers to adopt a rule that durably protects these climate-critical trees — and lets them be a key ally in the climate right.”
- Randi Spivak, public lands policy director at the Center for Biological Diversity: “Mature and old-growth forests are the only proven, cost-effective carbon capture and storage technology. We just have to let them grow. It’s really frustrating that the Forest Service, in the midst of this proposal, is still planning to log even more of these old trees. Our climate can’t wait another year for a rule. The time to act is now.”
- Zack Porter, executive director of Standing Trees: “Climate change isn’t off in the distant future; it’s here, now. My hometown of Montpelier, VT and others across the Northeast were ravaged by climate-driven floods on July 10th that could have been mitigated by the presence of old-growth forests. As the single largest steward of forests in the nation, the U.S. Forest Service has an obligation — not just an opportunity — to protect communities from natural disasters by managing national forests, often located in critical headwaters, to grow old.”
- Adam Rissien, WildEarth Guardians’ ReWilding Manager: “We are urging President Biden to enact a clear rule protecting mature and old-growth forests from the Forest Service chopping block. Public support has never been higher for bold, effective solutions to keep carbon in the woods and in the ground.”
- Ellen Montgomery, public lands campaign director for Environment America Research & Policy Center: “I’m not surprised that so many people took the time to get involved in this comment period. We love our trees and forests so of course people spoke up. Our forests clean our water, are home for wildlife, and are an incredible ally in our work to stop climate change. Our mature and old-growth forests and trees are worth more standing than as lumber.”
BLM’s Proposed Rulemaking and Inventory of Mature and Old-Growth Forests
Earlier this month, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) concluded a public comment period for its own proposed rulemaking, with hundreds of thousands of people calling on the federal government to protect mature and old-growth trees and forests from logging. In March, the BLM announced its wide-ranging “Conservation and Landscape Health” rule, with a goal to “promote ecosystem resilience on public lands” and included an acknowledgment of the importance of mature and old-growth trees and forests.
In addition to the two proposed rules, the Forest Service and the BLM released an inventory of mature and old-growth forests, the first of its kind, as required by the executive order President Biden signed on Earth Day 2022. The White House directed the Forest Service and the BLM to inventory and conserve mature and old-growth forests on federal land, and to implement policies to address threats facing forests.
Importance of Protecting Mature and Old-Growth Forests
Mature and old-growth forests are some of the most effective tools available for mitigating climate change and promoting biodiversity. They store huge amounts of carbon and keep it out of the atmosphere. They also provide essential wildlife habitat and are the most fire-resilient trees in the forest. As the world experiences record-shattering heat and widespread climate disasters, protecting these forests is critical for preventing the worst impacts of climate change.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 13: Climate Action
- SDG 15: Life on Land
The article discusses the need to protect mature and old-growth trees and forests from logging on federal land as a cornerstone of U.S. climate policy. This aligns with SDG 13, which focuses on taking urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts. Additionally, the protection of forests and biodiversity relates to SDG 15, which aims to sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, halt and reverse land degradation, and halt biodiversity loss.
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- SDG 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning
- SDG 15.2: Promote the implementation of sustainable management of all types of forests
The article emphasizes the need for the U.S. Forest Service to adopt a rule that protects mature and old-growth trees and forests on federal land from logging. This aligns with the targets of integrating climate change measures into national policies (SDG 13.2) and promoting sustainable management of forests (SDG 15.2).
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
Yes, there are indicators mentioned in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets:
- Number of public comments submitted on the Forest Service’s rulemaking proposal
- Number of environmental and grassroots organizations that submitted comments
- Number of people calling on the U.S. Forest Service to protect mature and old-growth trees and forests
- Existence of a durable, nationwide rule to protect mature and old-growth forests on federal land
- Extent of logging activities in mature and old-growth forests
These indicators reflect the level of public engagement, support, and action towards protecting mature and old-growth trees and forests, as well as the implementation of policies and measures to address threats facing forests.
4. Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 13: Climate Action | Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning | – Number of public comments submitted on the Forest Service’s rulemaking proposal – Number of environmental and grassroots organizations that submitted comments – Number of people calling on the U.S. Forest Service to protect mature and old-growth trees and forests – Existence of a durable, nationwide rule to protect mature and old-growth forests on federal land |
| SDG 15: Life on Land | Target 15.2: Promote the implementation of sustainable management of all types of forests | – Number of public comments submitted on the Forest Service’s rulemaking proposal – Number of environmental and grassroots organizations that submitted comments – Number of people calling on the U.S. Forest Service to protect mature and old-growth trees and forests – Extent of logging activities in mature and old-growth forests |
The table presents the identified SDGs, targets, and indicators based on the analysis of the article. It highlights the connection between the issues discussed in the article and the relevant sustainable development goals, targets, and indicators.
Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.
Source: earthjustice.org
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