–tariffs–softwood—-Canada—-tariffs—-

Recently in the newspapers, I read so much fuss using these words.  The US and Canada are supposedly rewriting NAFTA, trying to agree on a “softwood” deal.  Canada wants to cut down more trees than it needs, and send them to the United States, but the Americans want to cut down more trees of their own.  “Not to worry, ” say our brave leaders.  “If we don’t sell lots of trees to the US, we can sell them to China.”  Yes, China will buy lots of softwood.  They will turn it into paper, then turn it into glittery Christmas bags, then sell them back to us in the dollar stores–three for one dollar.

What is the hurry to cut down as many trees as possible? Do we really need more softwood?  China, where are your forests?

Once upon a time,  many, many years ago, practically the whole earth was covered with forests.  Then came Humans, who discovered they could plant a seed and it would turn into food.  Then the Humans cut down whole swaths of trees so that they could sow many seeds,–the beginning of agriculture.  The Humans multiplied, and the forests started disappearing.  Not that long ago, Britain was covered with forests, Greece was covered with forests,  likewise the rest of the earth.  Today, eighty percent of the original forests on earth have disappeared, gone forever.  At this moment, they continue to be decimated at a high speed.

We Humans are now facing the biggest threat of mass destruction–CLIMATE CHANGE.  What will kill us indirectly is the speeding increase of greenhouse gases, particularly carbon dioxide.  Throughout the previous millions of years, the earth’s temperature has remained stable, greatly controlled by all the forests, the biggest natural sponge for carbon dioxide. We are destroying our forests as quickly as we can, quickly adding to global warming.

As well as all of our tree cutting, climate change itself is destroying the remains of the forests.  The pine beetle, normal for hundreds of years, is now able to eat up the forests.  Forest wildfires become more and more uncontrollable.  Canada has taken some steps in forest protection, but the forests of Indonesia and like countries are disappearing as fast as they can cut.

We have to take drastic measures NOW to slow up global warming.  Start with the easiest.

DON’T CUT DOWN MORE TREES!    LET THE TREES STAND ALIVE!

Uh-oh.  That sounds good, but what about the poor loggers.  Forests are THE most important thing in B,C. economy.  Where will they get jobs.  There are alternatives.  The permanent residents of the logging towns can continue to cut a little, and be the guardians of the forest, help it get back to health.  Transient loggers can get jobs on the flourishing alternate energy infrastructure projects that should be built immediately.  We can also set up small manufacturing factories to produce value-added products.

Sounds good?   Okay, but how are we going to pay for this.  In the new sustainable economy where we are heading, first of all, work hours will be cut down–32 hours a week or less.  No mistake, technology will rule.  We must learn to make the best of it.  Then we suggest that your elected government (you elect it) should set up an Infrastructure Bank, to speed up alternate energy infrastructure, and make loans to co-ops of owners for new manufacturing.  Who says we have to have humungous, expensive factories, why can’t they be small.  The electronics people certainly learned that small is better.

Are we afraid of the deficit, or rising debt?  What does that mean?  We don’t have a choice.  We have to do everything possible to prevent more climate change—-it is not negotiable!

Yes, we are going to see CHANGE!  It won’t be bad, it will actually be better.  Learn about new sustainable economy.  Make sure you question your politicians,  They should be educating themselves, too, but YOU have to bring it up.

There is almost no “original nature” left.  Let’s do our best to keep nature on earth.

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