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Originally Posted by Karl
Illegal Logging Gives EU Massive Eco-Headache
(Read Full Article: Illegal Logging Gives EU Massive Eco-Headache | Europe | Deutsche Welle | 17.04.2008)
With tropical rainforests continuing to disappear at an alarming rate, the EU is partially to blame for importing illegally felled timber. So what is Brussels planning to do? On Monday, April 14, Greenpeace organized a demonstration outside the Brazilian embassy in Berlin to protest over-exploitation of tropical rainforests. According to a recent Greenpeace study, five hectares (12.4 acres) of forest are destroyed in Brazil per minute, with every hectare of forest burnt down releasing between 500 and 1100 tones of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
Today, one fifth of global greenhouse gas emissions can be traced back to the destruction of the rainforests. According to the World Wildlife Fund, areas the size of 30 football pitches are disappearing every minute. The problem of illegal logging is particularly acute in Indonesia, allegedly the world's third largest producer of greenhouse gases. Once hailed as one of the best solutions to saving the planet from greenhouse gases and global warming, rising demand for palm oil has resulted in local companies burning woods and peat lands to make way for palm oil plantations which supply European markets.
In March, EU Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas announced that the Commission will be proposing new measures to tackle illegal logging this May, amid fears that the current EU legislation is not effective enough. A Friends of the Earth report recently alleged that illegally logged timber was used in a number of EU-funded construction projects, while the Commission has admitted that 1000 square meters of illegally imported timber from Indonesia was even used in the renovation of its headquarters in Brussels.
Commissioner Dimas has now agreed that the illegal timber issue is "very important because it contributes to deforestation, which is detrimental for both climate change and biodiversity" -- issues which the EU executive is "determined to fight." He said the EU executive had concluded voluntary agreements with Malaysia, Indonesia, Cameroon and Ghana, adding that discussions were underway to conclude similar accords with other countries.
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Only one solution for this Cut off the money. Meaning as consumers we have to make a choice. stop buying said cash crops or fuel by driving less and reusing old furniture and such to reduce overall consumption. Loss of money talks. Money, after all, Is the reason said destruction is happening and to stop the money you must cut consumption . There is no other alternative. No technology will undo damage already done, nor will it be available when we may still be able to turn it around.
I don't advocate for total ban on tech. I say be selective on what we use that are needed as Necessity and do away With what is conveniences (luxury).
I have personally given up most of it or compromised on the few luxuries I do have By going to library for books and movies. If I buy movies or games I try to get them Used which are waste from other people.
My 37in LCD was bought while I was niave and ignorant of the reality of the state our Earth is in. I bought the PS3, when I became conscientious, as a multi function device eliminating the material resources of at least 4 devices, Needed something to do to pass the idle time by for mental health.......
The max energy draw from PS3 is 380 watts, It does not actually use that much all the time. 380 is in surplus to keep the system stable so it doesn't crash from lack of electricity. After all electricity is all or nothing to work properly. I don't have the money to get a meter to measure the actual energy use.
Listening to MP3 music on PS3 does not use the same amount as running the @home function hooked to the internet while playing oblivion.