I’m on a mission to put forest protection at the fore
protection at the fore
protection at the fore of our national climate conversation in
of our national climate conversation in
of our national climate conversation in the US but before I get there I want to
the US but before I get there I want to
the US but before I get there I want to tell you about this photograph this
tell you about this photograph this
tell you about this photograph this picture represents the story of my life
picture represents the story of my life
picture represents the story of my life this is a simple black-and-white
this is a simple black-and-white
this is a simple black-and-white photograph but it’s one of my most
photograph but it’s one of my most
photograph but it’s one of my most prized possessions it’s a picture of me
prized possessions it’s a picture of me
prized possessions it’s a picture of me with my parents walking down a dirt road
with my parents walking down a dirt road
with my parents walking down a dirt road in the middle of a forest off the island
in the middle of a forest off the island
in the middle of a forest off the island of de fust ski just off the coast of
of de fust ski just off the coast of
of de fust ski just off the coast of South Carolina across the river from
South Carolina across the river from
South Carolina across the river from where I grew up I was fortunate enough
where I grew up I was fortunate enough
where I grew up I was fortunate enough to be raised as a free-range wild child
to be raised as a free-range wild child
to be raised as a free-range wild child in the low country of South Carolina and
in the low country of South Carolina and
in the low country of South Carolina and when I look at this picture I remember a
when I look at this picture I remember a
when I look at this picture I remember a time when I was so connected to nature
time when I was so connected to nature
time when I was so connected to nature we lived by the rhythms of the tides I
we lived by the rhythms of the tides I
we lived by the rhythms of the tides I remember climbing in the big live oak
remember climbing in the big live oak
remember climbing in the big live oak trees with the moss hanging down
trees with the moss hanging down
trees with the moss hanging down I remember hours of building forts with
I remember hours of building forts with
I remember hours of building forts with my sister of the pomp from the palm
my sister of the pomp from the palm
my sister of the pomp from the palm fronds of the Palmetto trees and I
fronds of the Palmetto trees and I
fronds of the Palmetto trees and I remember running through the tall pine
remember running through the tall pine
remember running through the tall pine trees and finding all kinds of treasures
trees and finding all kinds of treasures
trees and finding all kinds of treasures on the forest floor like bones and
on the forest floor like bones and
on the forest floor like bones and feathers and even arrowheads
feathers and even arrowheads
feathers and even arrowheads when I look at this picture my life
when I look at this picture my life
when I look at this picture my life makes sense hundreds of stories of time
makes sense hundreds of stories of time
makes sense hundreds of stories of time spent in the woods that shaped my life
spent in the woods that shaped my life
spent in the woods that shaped my life and for the last 20 years I’ve dedicated
and for the last 20 years I’ve dedicated
and for the last 20 years I’ve dedicated my adult career to protecting the
my adult career to protecting the
my adult career to protecting the forests of the southeastern US to this
forests of the southeastern US to this
forests of the southeastern US to this day I still play and run in the forest
day I still play and run in the forest
day I still play and run in the forest and as an adult I’ve grown to appreciate
and as an adult I’ve grown to appreciate
and as an adult I’ve grown to appreciate the forest as a place where I can escape
the forest as a place where I can escape
the forest as a place where I can escape the digital industrial and technological
the digital industrial and technological
the digital industrial and technological world that has dominated human society
world that has dominated human society
world that has dominated human society for the last hundred years I know that
for the last hundred years I know that
for the last hundred years I know that I’m not alone in terms of my
I’m not alone in terms of my
I’m not alone in terms of my relationship to the forest I was
relationship to the forest I was
relationship to the forest I was reminded of this just in July when I was
reminded of this just in July when I was
reminded of this just in July when I was at a forty forest storytelling event in
at a forty forest storytelling event in
at a forty forest storytelling event in Durham where a dozen or so people got up
Durham where a dozen or so people got up
Durham where a dozen or so people got up on stage and told their own personal
on stage and told their own personal
on stage and told their own personal stories about forests and these were
stories about forests and these were
stories about forests and these were people of very different professions
people of very different professions
people of very different professions religions races all kinds of backgrounds
religions races all kinds of backgrounds
religions races all kinds of backgrounds but the one thing that really stuck with
but the one thing that really stuck with
but the one thing that really stuck with me was the fact that
me was the fact that
me was the fact that after story was about how forests had
after story was about how forests had
after story was about how forests had inspired people at a time of despair
inspired people at a time of despair
inspired people at a time of despair where provided them hope at a time when
where provided them hope at a time when
where provided them hope at a time when they needed it most in their life or
they needed it most in their life or
they needed it most in their life or help them to overcome some challenges
help them to overcome some challenges
help them to overcome some challenges some of them very small but some of them
some of them very small but some of them
some of them very small but some of them actually quite large and I know each of
actually quite large and I know each of
actually quite large and I know each of you in the room today probably has your
you in the room today probably has your
you in the room today probably has your own story to tell about how forests have
own story to tell about how forests have
own story to tell about how forests have inspired you in some way we live in one
inspired you in some way we live in one
inspired you in some way we live in one of the most challenging moments in the
of the most challenging moments in the
of the most challenging moments in the history of humanity we are facing one of
history of humanity we are facing one of
history of humanity we are facing one of the biggest challenges we’ve ever faced
the biggest challenges we’ve ever faced
the biggest challenges we’ve ever faced climate change is real humans are
climate change is real humans are
climate change is real humans are causing it and if we do not do a course
causing it and if we do not do a course
causing it and if we do not do a course correct in a very short period of time
correct in a very short period of time
correct in a very short period of time we are on a sure path to extinction
we are on a sure path to extinction
we are on a sure path to extinction now forest protection around the world
now forest protection around the world
now forest protection around the world is starting to be seen as a major
is starting to be seen as a major
is starting to be seen as a major priority especially for those countries
priority especially for those countries
priority especially for those countries in the tropics that have been living a
in the tropics that have been living a
in the tropics that have been living a little bit closer to nature than we have
little bit closer to nature than we have
little bit closer to nature than we have for the last couple of hundred years but
for the last couple of hundred years but
for the last couple of hundred years but in the u.s. forest protection is fairly
in the u.s. forest protection is fairly
in the u.s. forest protection is fairly a blip on the climate radar but there is
a blip on the climate radar but there is
a blip on the climate radar but there is some good news about climate change
some good news about climate change
some good news about climate change there is an unprecedented effort right
there is an unprecedented effort right
there is an unprecedented effort right now happening globally people all over
now happening globally people all over
now happening globally people all over the world are coming together behind a
the world are coming together behind a
the world are coming together behind a single goal to keep temperatures from
single goal to keep temperatures from
single goal to keep temperatures from increasing 1.5 degrees over that by the
increasing 1.5 degrees over that by the
increasing 1.5 degrees over that by the end of this century and that’s
end of this century and that’s
end of this century and that’s incredible that we have this kind of
incredible that we have this kind of
incredible that we have this kind of international cooperation that’s
international cooperation that’s
international cooperation that’s happening right now to solve this
happening right now to solve this
happening right now to solve this problem it’s also encouraging to me that
problem it’s also encouraging to me that
problem it’s also encouraging to me that scientists have pretty much figured out
scientists have pretty much figured out
scientists have pretty much figured out what it is we need to do to solve this
what it is we need to do to solve this
what it is we need to do to solve this problem and we need to do two things one
problem and we need to do two things one
problem and we need to do two things one is we need to stop putting so much
is we need to stop putting so much
is we need to stop putting so much carbon into the atmosphere and this is a
carbon into the atmosphere and this is a
carbon into the atmosphere and this is a story that we’ve been told a lot in the
story that we’ve been told a lot in the
story that we’ve been told a lot in the US and we’re getting it we’ve got to get
US and we’re getting it we’ve got to get
US and we’re getting it we’ve got to get off fossil fuels and we’ve got to move
off fossil fuels and we’ve got to move
off fossil fuels and we’ve got to move to clean renewable energy like solar and
to clean renewable energy like solar and
to clean renewable energy like solar and wind power but the story that’s not
wind power but the story that’s not
wind power but the story that’s not being told is that that is not going to
being told is that that is not going to
being told is that that is not going to be enough and that’s because there’s a
be enough and that’s because there’s a
be enough and that’s because there’s a second thing that we have to do now
second thing that we have to do now
second thing that we have to do now to solve a climate crisis and that is
to solve a climate crisis and that is
to solve a climate crisis and that is that we actually have to start reducing
that we actually have to start reducing
that we actually have to start reducing the amount of carbon that is in the
the amount of carbon that is in the
the amount of carbon that is in the atmosphere because once we emit carbon
atmosphere because once we emit carbon
atmosphere because once we emit carbon it can hang
it can hang
it can hang in the atmosphere for hundreds thousands
in the atmosphere for hundreds thousands
in the atmosphere for hundreds thousands of years and scientists have recorded
of years and scientists have recorded
of years and scientists have recorded this year that the amount of carbon in
this year that the amount of carbon in
this year that the amount of carbon in the atmosphere is now at 410 parts per
the atmosphere is now at 410 parts per
the atmosphere is now at 410 parts per million the last time that the earth had
million the last time that the earth had
million the last time that the earth had 410 parts per million of carbon in the
410 parts per million of carbon in the
410 parts per million of carbon in the atmosphere humans did not exist and
atmosphere humans did not exist and
atmosphere humans did not exist and climate scientists have pretty much
climate scientists have pretty much
climate scientists have pretty much consent that the safe level of carbon
consent that the safe level of carbon
consent that the safe level of carbon for humans in the atmosphere is 350
for humans in the atmosphere is 350
for humans in the atmosphere is 350 parts per million so we’re at 410 we
parts per million so we’re at 410 we
parts per million so we’re at 410 we have to get to 350 how are we going to
have to get to 350 how are we going to
have to get to 350 how are we going to get there
get there
get there forests that’s how we’re gonna get there
forests that’s how we’re gonna get there
forests that’s how we’re gonna get there we will not solve the climate crisis
we will not solve the climate crisis
we will not solve the climate crisis without forests now there’s two options
without forests now there’s two options
without forests now there’s two options that we have for how we could use
that we have for how we could use
that we have for how we could use forests as a solution to climate change
forests as a solution to climate change
forests as a solution to climate change that are being proposed right now and
that are being proposed right now and
that are being proposed right now and let me just propose these here for you
let me just propose these here for you
let me just propose these here for you all and let’s decide together what makes
all and let’s decide together what makes
all and let’s decide together what makes the most sense
the most sense
the most sense the first option looks like this and
the first option looks like this and
the first option looks like this and it’s a big factory and it’s an
it’s a big factory and it’s an
it’s a big factory and it’s an industrial process where we take trees
industrial process where we take trees
industrial process where we take trees we burn them to generate electricity in
we burn them to generate electricity in
we burn them to generate electricity in place of coal and then we trap the
place of coal and then we trap the
place of coal and then we trap the carbon and we store it underground and
carbon and we store it underground and
carbon and we store it underground and the idea there is because trees suck
the idea there is because trees suck
the idea there is because trees suck carbon out of the atmosphere that we
carbon out of the atmosphere that we
carbon out of the atmosphere that we suck that carbon it’s stored then it
suck that carbon it’s stored then it
suck that carbon it’s stored then it gets burned and we capture it suck it
gets burned and we capture it suck it
gets burned and we capture it suck it capture it repeat and we’re sucking
capture it repeat and we’re sucking
capture it repeat and we’re sucking carbon out of the atmosphere the problem
carbon out of the atmosphere the problem
carbon out of the atmosphere the problem with this technology is it is incredibly
with this technology is it is incredibly
with this technology is it is incredibly expensive it’s going to cost trillions
expensive it’s going to cost trillions
expensive it’s going to cost trillions of dollars it has not been tested we do
of dollars it has not been tested we do
of dollars it has not been tested we do not know whether it will work or not any
not know whether it will work or not any
not know whether it will work or not any of us it does work we don’t know that it
of us it does work we don’t know that it
of us it does work we don’t know that it will work on the scale needed to affect
will work on the scale needed to affect
will work on the scale needed to affect the global atmosphere on the other hand
the global atmosphere on the other hand
the global atmosphere on the other hand oh the other thing that this will
oh the other thing that this will
oh the other thing that this will require is massive amounts of trees
require is massive amounts of trees
require is massive amounts of trees which means that we would have to grow
which means that we would have to grow
which means that we would have to grow trees in rows as crops and have an
trees in rows as crops and have an
trees in rows as crops and have an industrialized landscape in order to to
industrialized landscape in order to to
industrialized landscape in order to to make this work
make this work
make this work option number two we protect our natural
option number two we protect our natural
option number two we protect our natural forests too often we humans are looking
forests too often we humans are looking
forests too often we humans are looking to technology to solve all our problems
to technology to solve all our problems
to technology to solve all our problems and while technology certainly can solve
and while technology certainly can solve
and while technology certainly can solve some of our problems we do not look to
some of our problems we do not look to
some of our problems we do not look to nature enough
nature enough
nature enough for answers forests represent our best
for answers forests represent our best
for answers forests represent our best technology for removing and storing
technology for removing and storing
technology for removing and storing carbon from the atmosphere they’ve been
carbon from the atmosphere they’ve been
carbon from the atmosphere they’ve been doing it for 300 million years
doing it for 300 million years
doing it for 300 million years and in fact the reason why humans were
and in fact the reason why humans were
and in fact the reason why humans were even able to evolve onto the land of
even able to evolve onto the land of
even able to evolve onto the land of this earth is because of the role that
this earth is because of the role that
this earth is because of the role that forests played in helping to stabilize
forests played in helping to stabilize
forests played in helping to stabilize the amount of carbon in the atmosphere
the amount of carbon in the atmosphere
the amount of carbon in the atmosphere creating just the right conditions for
creating just the right conditions for
creating just the right conditions for humans to be able to survive this is our
humans to be able to survive this is our
humans to be able to survive this is our best technology and we know it works and
best technology and we know it works and
best technology and we know it works and we know it can work at a global scale
we know it can work at a global scale
we know it can work at a global scale and in addition if we protect our
and in addition if we protect our
and in addition if we protect our natural forests and restore our natural
natural forests and restore our natural
natural forests and restore our natural forests we also get a lot of bonus
forests we also get a lot of bonus
forests we also get a lot of bonus material we get added flood control
material we get added flood control
material we get added flood control natural flood control we get added water
natural flood control we get added water
natural flood control we get added water stabilization and purification we get
stabilization and purification we get
stabilization and purification we get natural air conditioning things that are
natural air conditioning things that are
natural air conditioning things that are really going to matter in the 21st
really going to matter in the 21st
really going to matter in the 21st century as we start to experience a
century as we start to experience a
century as we start to experience a change in climate and in addition we get
change in climate and in addition we get
change in climate and in addition we get cool creatures like owls and snakes and
cool creatures like owls and snakes and
cool creatures like owls and snakes and bears and birds and these creatures
bears and birds and these creatures
bears and birds and these creatures lives are also now integrally tied to
lives are also now integrally tied to
lives are also now integrally tied to the decisions that we humans are going
the decisions that we humans are going
the decisions that we humans are going to make about what choice we’re gonna
to make about what choice we’re gonna
to make about what choice we’re gonna take choice number one or choice number
take choice number one or choice number
take choice number one or choice number two so I imagine everybody in this
two so I imagine everybody in this
two so I imagine everybody in this audience is probably thinking option
audience is probably thinking option
audience is probably thinking option number two why not option number two
number two why not option number two
number two why not option number two well I think the thing that we have to
well I think the thing that we have to
well I think the thing that we have to realize is that the scale-up of forest
realize is that the scale-up of forest
realize is that the scale-up of forest protection is a really big idea right we
protection is a really big idea right we
protection is a really big idea right we as humans for the last couple hundred
as humans for the last couple hundred
as humans for the last couple hundred years have not been doing a very good
years have not been doing a very good
years have not been doing a very good job of protecting much of the Earth’s
job of protecting much of the Earth’s
job of protecting much of the Earth’s forests so this requires us to really
forests so this requires us to really
forests so this requires us to really rethink a lot of things it requires up
rethink a lot of things it requires up
rethink a lot of things it requires up to shift the way that we value what’s
to shift the way that we value what’s
to shift the way that we value what’s important and we have to start
important and we have to start
important and we have to start recognizing the value of nature now I’m
recognizing the value of nature now I’m
recognizing the value of nature now I’m about to tell you some stories about
about to tell you some stories about
about to tell you some stories about forest destruction in our own backyard
forest destruction in our own backyard
forest destruction in our own backyard that are not being told right now
that are not being told right now
that are not being told right now because while in the tropics they’re
because while in the tropics they’re
because while in the tropics they’re scaling up forest protection as a
scaling up forest protection as a
scaling up forest protection as a climate solution where you haven’t quite
climate solution where you haven’t quite
climate solution where you haven’t quite yet gotten it yet in the u.s. that we
yet gotten it yet in the u.s. that we
yet gotten it yet in the u.s. that we have a huge problem in our own backyard
have a huge problem in our own backyard
have a huge problem in our own backyard in 2014 scientists produced for the
in 2014 scientists produced for the
in 2014 scientists produced for the first time global maps of forest cover
first time global maps of forest cover
first time global maps of forest cover loss around the world using satellite
loss around the world using satellite
loss around the world using satellite data the dark purple represents those
data the dark purple represents those
data the dark purple represents those areas that are highest rates of forest
areas that are highest rates of forest
areas that are highest rates of forest cover loss and you can see that the
cover loss and you can see that the
cover loss and you can see that the United States has a lot of dark purple
United States has a lot of dark purple
United States has a lot of dark purple and in particular in the United States
and in particular in the United States
and in particular in the United States you can see that the dark purple is in
you can see that the dark purple is in
you can see that the dark purple is in the southeastern coastal plain of the US
the southeastern coastal plain of the US
the southeastern coastal plain of the US forest disturbance from logging in the
forest disturbance from logging in the
forest disturbance from logging in the southeastern region is four times that
southeastern region is four times that
southeastern region is four times that of South American rainforest why are we
of South American rainforest why are we
of South American rainforest why are we not talking about forest protection as a
not talking about forest protection as a
not talking about forest protection as a critical climate issue in the US where
critical climate issue in the US where
critical climate issue in the US where the world’s largest producer and
the world’s largest producer and
the world’s largest producer and consumer of wood products logging causes
consumer of wood products logging causes
consumer of wood products logging causes carbon stored to be released and so
carbon stored to be released and so
carbon stored to be released and so while we’re logging our forests we’re
while we’re logging our forests we’re
while we’re logging our forests we’re also helping to contribute carbon
also helping to contribute carbon
also helping to contribute carbon emissions into the atmosphere our
emissions into the atmosphere our
emissions into the atmosphere our government isn’t reporting these
government isn’t reporting these
government isn’t reporting these emissions right now but scientists who
emissions right now but scientists who
emissions right now but scientists who are studying this and who have
are studying this and who have
are studying this and who have calculated the amount of emissions
calculated the amount of emissions
calculated the amount of emissions coming from logging are showing that the
coming from logging are showing that the
coming from logging are showing that the emissions are staggering and that this
emissions are staggering and that this
emissions are staggering and that this problem is way bigger than we realize
problem is way bigger than we realize
problem is way bigger than we realize right now and a lot of times we’ve been
right now and a lot of times we’ve been
right now and a lot of times we’ve been told the story that our forests grow
told the story that our forests grow
told the story that our forests grow back we have a lot of forests across the
back we have a lot of forests across the
back we have a lot of forests across the landscape look at all the trees well
landscape look at all the trees well
landscape look at all the trees well what we’re not being told is that it
what we’re not being told is that it
what we’re not being told is that it takes over a hundred years
takes over a hundred years
takes over a hundred years first forest to recover once it’s been
first forest to recover once it’s been
first forest to recover once it’s been logged in terms of just the carbon that
logged in terms of just the carbon that
logged in terms of just the carbon that we’ve lost the benefit the climate
we’ve lost the benefit the climate
we’ve lost the benefit the climate benefit that we’ve lost when we’ve
benefit that we’ve lost when we’ve
benefit that we’ve lost when we’ve logged our forests we also haven’t been
logged our forests we also haven’t been
logged our forests we also haven’t been taught in history the history of our
taught in history the history of our
taught in history the history of our country’s forests and what has happened
country’s forests and what has happened
country’s forests and what has happened to our forests over the course of the
to our forests over the course of the
to our forests over the course of the last couple of hundred years and you can
last couple of hundred years and you can
last couple of hundred years and you can see from these maps in 1620 we had vast
see from these maps in 1620 we had vast
see from these maps in 1620 we had vast acres of old-growth intact forest
acres of old-growth intact forest
acres of old-growth intact forest landscapes by 1850 which is around the
landscapes by 1850 which is around the
landscapes by 1850 which is around the beginning of the Industrial Revolution
beginning of the Industrial Revolution
beginning of the Industrial Revolution you can see from 1850 to 1926 and then
you can see from 1850 to 1926 and then
you can see from 1850 to 1926 and then to 1990 we had lost pretty much all of
to 1990 we had lost pretty much all of
to 1990 we had lost pretty much all of our intact old-growth forests at
our intact old-growth forests at
our intact old-growth forests at landscapes across the US this was our
landscapes across the US this was our
landscapes across the US this was our Earth’s original climate stabilization
Earth’s original climate stabilization
Earth’s original climate stabilization system and over the course of the last
system and over the course of the last
system and over the course of the last couple of hundred years as a part of the
couple of hundred years as a part of the
couple of hundred years as a part of the Industrial Revolution we’ve not only
Industrial Revolution we’ve not only
Industrial Revolution we’ve not only been putting too much carbon from fossil
been putting too much carbon from fossil
been putting too much carbon from fossil fuels into the atmosphere but
fuels into the atmosphere but
fuels into the atmosphere but we’ve been pumping carbon into the
we’ve been pumping carbon into the
we’ve been pumping carbon into the atmosphere that was otherwise stored in
atmosphere that was otherwise stored in
atmosphere that was otherwise stored in our forests and we’ve degraded our
our forests and we’ve degraded our
our forests and we’ve degraded our climate stabilization system so why do
climate stabilization system so why do
climate stabilization system so why do old forests matter so much
old forests matter so much
old forests matter so much this graph shows this very clearly it’s
this graph shows this very clearly it’s
this graph shows this very clearly it’s a simple bar graph it shows on the right
a simple bar graph it shows on the right
a simple bar graph it shows on the right a force that’s 60 years old on the left
a force that’s 60 years old on the left
a force that’s 60 years old on the left is an old-growth forest and that
is an old-growth forest and that
is an old-growth forest and that represents how much carbon is stored in
represents how much carbon is stored in
represents how much carbon is stored in a young forest versus an old forest so
a young forest versus an old forest so
a young forest versus an old forest so we can see by this graph that if we were
we can see by this graph that if we were
we can see by this graph that if we were to grow for us old again we could suck
to grow for us old again we could suck
to grow for us old again we could suck out a lot of carbon from the atmosphere
out a lot of carbon from the atmosphere
out a lot of carbon from the atmosphere and this is especially true for us in
and this is especially true for us in
and this is especially true for us in the u.s. because across our country
the u.s. because across our country
the u.s. because across our country though trees can live to be hundreds
though trees can live to be hundreds
though trees can live to be hundreds even some over a thousand years old less
even some over a thousand years old less
even some over a thousand years old less than 15% of our forests across the
than 15% of our forests across the
than 15% of our forests across the country are older than a hundred years
country are older than a hundred years
country are older than a hundred years and in the southeastern coastal plain
and in the southeastern coastal plain
and in the southeastern coastal plain less than five percent of our forests
less than five percent of our forests
less than five percent of our forests are over a hundred years old so by
are over a hundred years old so by
are over a hundred years old so by growing for us folding in protecting our
growing for us folding in protecting our
growing for us folding in protecting our natural for us we can suck a lot of
natural for us we can suck a lot of
natural for us we can suck a lot of carbon out of the atmosphere and our
carbon out of the atmosphere and our
carbon out of the atmosphere and our forests have a critical role to play we
forests have a critical role to play we
forests have a critical role to play we also hear a lot that we replant we’re
also hear a lot that we replant we’re
also hear a lot that we replant we’re really good at replanting forests in the
really good at replanting forests in the
really good at replanting forests in the southeastern US and in the US as a whole
southeastern US and in the US as a whole
southeastern US and in the US as a whole but the what they mean when they say
but the what they mean when they say
but the what they mean when they say we’re replanting five for every tree
we’re replanting five for every tree
we’re replanting five for every tree that we cut down is this an industrial
that we cut down is this an industrial
that we cut down is this an industrial tree plantation that’s treated like a
tree plantation that’s treated like a
tree plantation that’s treated like a crop sprayed with herbicides and
crop sprayed with herbicides and
crop sprayed with herbicides and fertilizers we’re very good at growing
fertilizers we’re very good at growing
fertilizers we’re very good at growing forest for wood products we’re not good
forest for wood products we’re not good
forest for wood products we’re not good at growing forests for things like flood
at growing forests for things like flood
at growing forests for things like flood control and carbon storage and water
control and carbon storage and water
control and carbon storage and water stabilization and wildlife and
stabilization and wildlife and
stabilization and wildlife and biodiversity this is exactly what they
biodiversity this is exactly what they
biodiversity this is exactly what they mean when they say replant the forest so
mean when they say replant the forest so
mean when they say replant the forest so we’ve got a landscape that looks like
we’ve got a landscape that looks like
we’ve got a landscape that looks like this this is the picture a bird’s eye
this this is the picture a bird’s eye
this this is the picture a bird’s eye view of a degraded climate stabilization
view of a degraded climate stabilization
view of a degraded climate stabilization system and a degraded flood control
system and a degraded flood control
system and a degraded flood control system a patchwork of clear-cut sand
system a patchwork of clear-cut sand
system a patchwork of clear-cut sand tree farms and young forests and the
tree farms and young forests and the
tree farms and young forests and the cost of this forest degradation is huge
cost of this forest degradation is huge
cost of this forest degradation is huge and it impacts the most vulnerable among
and it impacts the most vulnerable among
and it impacts the most vulnerable among us the poorest in our community and that
us the poorest in our community and that
us the poorest in our community and that let’s just face it typically means
let’s just face it typically means
let’s just face it typically means people of color in the southeastern US
people of color in the southeastern US
people of color in the southeastern US are bearing the brunt of the impacts of
are bearing the brunt of the impacts of
are bearing the brunt of the impacts of this
this
this forest could be providing significant
forest could be providing significant
forest could be providing significant flood control at a time and we need it
flood control at a time and we need it
flood control at a time and we need it the most but with a rate and scale of
the most but with a rate and scale of
the most but with a rate and scale of logging that’s four times that of South
logging that’s four times that of South
logging that’s four times that of South American rainforest we’re not getting
American rainforest we’re not getting
American rainforest we’re not getting the optimum protection for these
the optimum protection for these
the optimum protection for these communities that we do that we need I
communities that we do that we need I
communities that we do that we need I wish I could say that we are moving in
wish I could say that we are moving in
wish I could say that we are moving in the right direction and that we’re
the right direction and that we’re
the right direction and that we’re starting to embrace forest protection in
starting to embrace forest protection in
starting to embrace forest protection in the US as a critical climate solution
the US as a critical climate solution
the US as a critical climate solution but unfortunately we’re moving backwards
but unfortunately we’re moving backwards
but unfortunately we’re moving backwards we’re moving in the direction of option
we’re moving in the direction of option
we’re moving in the direction of option number one we are the southeastern US
number one we are the southeastern US
number one we are the southeastern US has just become the world’s largest wood
has just become the world’s largest wood
has just become the world’s largest wood pellet manufacturer where they’re being
pellet manufacturer where they’re being
pellet manufacturer where they’re being exported to Europe and burned in power
exported to Europe and burned in power
exported to Europe and burned in power stations to generate electricity in
stations to generate electricity in
stations to generate electricity in place of coal as renewable energy this
place of coal as renewable energy this
place of coal as renewable energy this photograph shows a map of the green dots
photograph shows a map of the green dots
photograph shows a map of the green dots being the existing facilities the yellow
being the existing facilities the yellow
being the existing facilities the yellow dots being those that are planned or
dots being those that are planned or
dots being those that are planned or proposed I’m very encouraged and
proposed I’m very encouraged and
proposed I’m very encouraged and inspired by these two women right here
inspired by these two women right here
inspired by these two women right here they’re in our backyard and a little
they’re in our backyard and a little
they’re in our backyard and a little town in Richmond County North Carolina
town in Richmond County North Carolina
town in Richmond County North Carolina they’re two african-american women who
they’re two african-american women who
they’re two african-american women who are mobilizing their community and
are mobilizing their community and
are mobilizing their community and saying enough is enough they’re
saying enough is enough they’re
saying enough is enough they’re mobilizing their community to stop the
mobilizing their community to stop the
mobilizing their community to stop the world’s largest wood pellet manufacturer
world’s largest wood pellet manufacturer
world’s largest wood pellet manufacturer from building another wood pellet mill
from building another wood pellet mill
from building another wood pellet mill in North Carolina and they need our
in North Carolina and they need our
in North Carolina and they need our support and our help they are saying
support and our help they are saying
support and our help they are saying standing up and saying no and people are
standing up and saying no and people are
standing up and saying no and people are starting to support this effort and we
starting to support this effort and we
starting to support this effort and we have an opportunity right now to
have an opportunity right now to
have an opportunity right now to actually return the tide on the wood
actually return the tide on the wood
actually return the tide on the wood poet industry in North Carolina but
poet industry in North Carolina but
poet industry in North Carolina but forest protection needs to become a part
forest protection needs to become a part
forest protection needs to become a part of our discussion at a national level
of our discussion at a national level
of our discussion at a national level about climate change I’m very encouraged
about climate change I’m very encouraged
about climate change I’m very encouraged by the campaigns that have been run that
by the campaigns that have been run that
by the campaigns that have been run that where we have targeted on the problem of
where we have targeted on the problem of
where we have targeted on the problem of coal burning and we’ve actually started
coal burning and we’ve actually started
coal burning and we’ve actually started to transition to solar and wind power
to transition to solar and wind power
to transition to solar and wind power and it’s because of people speaking up
and it’s because of people speaking up
and it’s because of people speaking up standing up it’s because of public
standing up it’s because of public
standing up it’s because of public pressure or let’s not let’s just be very
pressure or let’s not let’s just be very
pressure or let’s not let’s just be very clear about this it’s because of public
clear about this it’s because of public
clear about this it’s because of public pressure that we are moving away from
pressure that we are moving away from
pressure that we are moving away from coal and starting to move towards solar
coal and starting to move towards solar
coal and starting to move towards solar and wind power we can do the same for
and wind power we can do the same for
and wind power we can do the same for our forests but it requires every single
our forests but it requires every single
our forests but it requires every single one of us in this room to stand up and
one of us in this room to stand up and
one of us in this room to stand up and make their voices heard this is an
make their voices heard this is an
make their voices heard this is an all-hands-on-deck
all-hands-on-deck
all-hands-on-deck and we can no longer sit back and expect
and we can no longer sit back and expect
and we can no longer sit back and expect that one person or some kind of
that one person or some kind of
that one person or some kind of technology is going to solve this
technology is going to solve this
technology is going to solve this problem this is a problem that only we
problem this is a problem that only we
problem this is a problem that only we as humans can coming together it can
as humans can coming together it can
as humans can coming together it can solve and we need you to plug in and
solve and we need you to plug in and
solve and we need you to plug in and join this movement click onto this
join this movement click onto this
join this movement click onto this website and you can join the movement
website and you can join the movement
website and you can join the movement and we need you to contact your
and we need you to contact your
and we need you to contact your governors and your local elected
governors and your local elected
governors and your local elected officials your members of Congress and
officials your members of Congress and
officials your members of Congress and let them know that we need them to start
let them know that we need them to start
let them know that we need them to start investing in forest protection and
investing in forest protection and
investing in forest protection and restoring our natural flood control
restoring our natural flood control
restoring our natural flood control system and restoring our forests ability
system and restoring our forests ability
system and restoring our forests ability to do its job in helping to protect us
to do its job in helping to protect us
to do its job in helping to protect us against the worst effects of climate
against the worst effects of climate
against the worst effects of climate change and the end of the day we have
change and the end of the day we have
change and the end of the day we have something so beautiful if we make this
something so beautiful if we make this
something so beautiful if we make this turn as humanity I believe that if we
turn as humanity I believe that if we
turn as humanity I believe that if we just listen to the story that the forest
just listen to the story that the forest
just listen to the story that the forest is telling us right now about our
is telling us right now about our
is telling us right now about our relationship human relationship with the
relationship human relationship with the
relationship human relationship with the forest it would go something like this
forest it would go something like this
forest it would go something like this you humans have lived in harmony with us
you humans have lived in harmony with us
you humans have lived in harmony with us for us for thousands of years and it’s
for us for thousands of years and it’s
for us for thousands of years and it’s really only been in the last couple of
really only been in the last couple of
really only been in the last couple of hundred years that you have separated
hundred years that you have separated
hundred years that you have separated yourself from our relationship you have
yourself from our relationship you have
yourself from our relationship you have treated us with such disrespect that
treated us with such disrespect that
treated us with such disrespect that it’s almost on the point of abuse and we
it’s almost on the point of abuse and we
it’s almost on the point of abuse and we can help you solve this problem but not
can help you solve this problem but not
can help you solve this problem but not if you keep abusing us if you let us
if you keep abusing us if you let us
if you keep abusing us if you let us grow old and wild again we can ensure
grow old and wild again we can ensure
grow old and wild again we can ensure that humans can continue to thrive on
that humans can continue to thrive on
that humans can continue to thrive on this planet into the next century
this planet into the next century
this planet into the next century and we can ensure that generations to
and we can ensure that generations to
and we can ensure that generations to come can find their own inspiring
come can find their own inspiring
come can find their own inspiring stories in the forest thank you
”
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