5 tips: Protecting the forest in everyday life
We all care deeply about the forest and want to do our bit to help preserve it. The good news is that forest conservation isn’t just something that happens in faraway rainforests; it can also be part of our everyday lives, right on our doorsteps. Every conscious decision we make can help to preserve forests – all over the world.
The underrated raw material: How much wood do we really use?
Our consumption of wood alone is something that many people do not even give a second thought to in their everyday lives. If we look solely at our German forests, on average – assuming a sustainable supply – we would have around 0.7 m3 of wood per person per yeargung1 – that’s roughly the volume of a large fridge, or 4–5 full bath tubs. However, our actual consumption is significantly higher, at around 1.3 m3.2 We are therefore reliant on timber imports.
But what happens to all that wood? Of course, we use wood as a building material for furniture and buildings, and process it into paper, packaging materials and other everyday products. Yet a full 50 per cent of the wood is simply burnt for heating – even though only 6 per cent of households in Germany use wood as their primary source of heating. That said, the popularity of wood as a fuel is on the rise: since 1990, wood consumption in Germany has doubled.1
Is wood really that sustainable and climate-friendly?
Many people certainly mean well, as wood is regarded as sustainable and climate-friendly. However, on closer inspection, it is unfortunately not quite that simple, as burning wood for heating also releases CO2 and large quantities of particulate matter.3 Furthermore, wood-burning stoves – particularly older models – are not exactly energy-efficient. For genuine climate and forest protection, energy saving, renewable electricity and efficient, modern heating systems such as heat pumps are by far the better choice.
Conscious consumption: small changes, big impact
A large proportion of global deforestation is directly linked to our consumption patterns. The raw material for many of the wood and paper products we use every day comes from Scandinavia or the Amazon region⁴ – in other words, the very places we so urgently need to protect. However, this also means that we have significant leverage to bring about change in this area. Anyone who wants to help protect forests in their everyday life can make a big difference simply by the way they shop. It may take a bit of effort at first, but if you give it a little time, these changes will quickly become established habits.
- Hidden tropical timber: Tropical timber is often hidden in wood and paper products where you might not necessarily expect to find it, sometimes even without any proper declaration on the packaging. These include barbecue charcoal and briquettes⁵ (sustainable alternatives would be coconut or olive-stone briquettes), furniture, musical instruments, tool handles⁶, breakfast boards, toys or even bucher7. Avoid hidden tropical timber by giving preference to native woods and looking out for certified sustainable or recycled products.
- Avoiding single-use products: Do you really always need kitchen roll, or can surfaces be cleaned with a damp cloth instead? The same applies to wet wipes of any kind.
- Cut down on paper: Not every email needs to be printed – there are good digital alternatives for both the office and at home.
- If you do, choose recycled paper: When paper is needed, buy recycled paper wherever possible – for the office and the bathroom.
- The benefits of jute: Yes, a jute bag really does make a difference – if you use it regularly instead of buying paper bags. Perhaps an idea for your next trip to the bakery?
- Second-hand rather than new: It doesn’t always have to be a new product. Books, furniture, electrical appliances, clothes – many items can be bought second-hand in very good condition. And you’ll save money at the same time!
Palm oil, cocoa & co.: Taking a critical look at ingredients
Almost 90 per cent of global deforestation is due to the expansion of agriculture, for example soya cultivation or the production of palm oil.10 Palm oil is found in numerous food products – such as chocolate, frozen pizza and spreads – as well as in many cosmetics and cleaning products. Over 70 million tonnes of the oil are produced annually, the majority of which in South-East Asia. This makes palm oil the most sought-after vegetable oil on the world market.11 Sustainable alternatives are hard to come by. To achieve the same yield, other oil crops would require far more land.11 Although one often reads about ‘certified palm oil’, even labels such as the RSPO seal cannot, unfortunately, be trusted unreservedly.12
So when shopping, it’s definitely worth taking a closer look at the list of ingredients and the origin of the products. This can make a big difference even with products containing cocoa, rubber or coffee. Shopping apps such as CodeCheck help you make purchasing decisions and find brands that are transparent about their supply chains.
Sustainable eating protects forests
Our diet has a significant impact on global deforestation. Anyone who wants to protect forests can make a real difference by making conscious dietary choices.
Just like palm oil, soya also has a bad reputation – but the situation is slightly different here. It is not the consumption of tofu and soya milk that is responsible for ever-larger swathes of the rainforest being cleared. Due to its high protein content and the relatively low cost of cultivation, the majority of soya – around 75 per cent – is processed into feed for livestock and aquaculture.13 The soya beans used to produce products suitable for human consumption come mainly from Europe.14 It is therefore high meat consumption that is driving deforestation – not only for the cultivation of animal feed, but also for grazing livestock.
A diet consisting mainly of plant-based, regional and seasonal foods reduces the amount of land required and helps to prevent the destruction of forests. Eating less meat and more vegetables, pulses and cereals not only protects forests, but also benefits the climate and our health.15
Sharing knowledge and raising awareness
Forest conservation thrives on public awareness. The more people are informed about the importance of forests and the consequences of deforestation, the more people will get involved in protecting these ecosystems. The movement is growing, and social pressure on politicians and industry is increasing. Sharing articles, social media posts or projects from nature conservation organisations such as Wohlleben’s Forest Academy, BUND or even our own organisation raises awareness, just as do everyday conversations with family, friends or colleagues.
Conclusion: Every contribution counts towards healthy forests
Protecting forests isn’t about being perfect; it’s about making conscious choices. Whether through sustainable consumption, a diet that helps preserve forests, or supporting nature conservation organisations – every step counts. Together, we can help ensure that forests are preserved as the basis of life for future generations.
Author
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B1RGDZOJoXo (Wohlleben’s Forest Academy: Simple ways to protect forests with a tangible impact)