I thought you might be interested in this action alert from the National Audubon Society. AUDUBON ACTION ALERT: STOP THE DESTRUCTION OF OUR FORESTS FOR FUEL Mature forests are being cut down to create wood pellets that will fuel power plants, destroying important bird habitat AND increasing greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has an opportunity to protect these vital forests with a new rule that will spell out what types of resources can be used for renewable biomass fuel. Lets be clear--burning whole trees from native forest ecosystems harms birds like Cerulean and Prothonotary Warblers and should not be seen as a way to fuel our power plants when we have truly clean alternatives available. ***TAKE ACTION*** We expect the EPA to announce its new rule in the next few weeks. Send an urgent message today: tell the EPA to protect our forests: audubonaction.org/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=1713 The use of biomass as a fuel source is supposed to help reduce global warming, but not all biomass is created equal. In fact, clear-cutting mature forests to produce biomass fuel will actually increase the amount of carbon dioxide in our atmosphere because while live trees trap and store carbon dioxide, when they are burned all of that stored carbon is released. Its essential that the EPA recognize that native forests, like mature bottomland hardwood forests that are being clearcut for wood pellets, are different from commercial tree farms. Seasonally flooded forests (known as bottomland forests) and other wetland forests are among the United States most valuable ecosystems. They buffer communities from storms and floods, and are among the most important habitats for wildlife in the country, including at least 30 bird species of conservation concern such as Wood Thrush, Red-headed Woodpeckers, and Wood Storks. It is wrong to clear-cut these forests to create dirty energy that makes global warming worse. ***TAKE ACTION*** Urge the EPA to protect our mature forests from biomass destruction. Time is running out, so please send your letter today: audubonaction.org/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=1713 Sincerely, David Yarnold President & CEO, National Audubon Society
Posted on: Thu, 03 Jul 2014 01:01:38 +0000
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