As a company that respects and nourishes the earth, sustainable firewood is imperative for appreciating the environment and protecting the planet’s ecosystems. The damage that unsustainable wood can cause is unimaginable, from deforestation to habitat destruction. In this blog, we will explain why sustainable firewood is important for the environment. When buying logs for sale like our Essex firewood, buying from a sustainable source is something that shouldn’t be an afterthought.
What is sustainable firewood?
Sustainable firewood is where firewood is collected in a way that is safe for the environment and allows the forest to regenerate and healthily regrow itself. Sustainable firewood can have many benefits, from less pollution to biodiversity conservation and this shouldn’t be an afterthought when looking for logs for sale! Sustainable firewood enables long-term healthy firewood supply, especially Essex firewood at County Logs and Coal!
Deforestation
Deforestation is one of the detrimental effects of unsustainable forest management. Deforestation occurs when management overharvests a forest and cuts more trees down than the forest is able to regrow and regenerate, this leads to the forest being drained and depleted. Not only this but having little regard for the environment can also lead to damage to the soil, making it hard for the soil to keep moisture and nutrients, causing the land to be more prone to decay and erosion.
The carbon emissions and the effect
One of the biggest effects on the environment from unsustainable firewood harvesting is carbon emissions. Carbon emissions cause deforestation and have a dramatic effect on the air quality which affects not only the local climate but also impacts on the global level. This is caused by insufficiently burning wood, whether using insufficient open fires or stoves, which release carbon dioxide and other pollutants into the atmosphere. Furthermore, soil stores a high amount of carbon dioxide and when disturbed through impractical foresting tactics they release this, further having an effect on the carbon footprint.
Sustainable firewood; selective harvesting and the effects of replanting and growth
Using sustainable firewood is essential for reducing your carbon footprint and having healthier firewood. Sustainable firewood processes are designed to support forests, reduce carbon emissions and protect the ecosystem. Selective harvesting protects the general structure of the forest, rather than cutting down the entire area of a forest, selective harvesting entails carefully deciding which trees should be cut. Benefits include the support of biodiversity; this protects the wildlife that inhabits the forest. And by protecting the habitats of the local wildlife the ecosystem remains more stable and the wildlife can continue, breeding and eating.
Biodiversity conservation and pollution reduction
By focusing on sustainable firewood, we can ensure that harmful emissions are reduced, ecosystems are maintained and kept healthy, and biodiversity is conserved. Sustainable firewood allows less harmful pollutants, this is from using more energy-efficient stoves or fireplaces, which burn firewood more completely. Another way is through better quality firewood, which is often seasoned before use. Wet or green wood burns worse, releasing toxic emissions and more particular matter. Biodiversity conservation is an important factor towards sustainable firewood as it protects soil health and encourages long-term forest health while enhancing forest productivity!
Individual actions
Your individual actions can help promote sustainable firewood production and ensure a healthy planet. We only get one earth and it’s time we start taking care of it! By supporting local companies that prioritise sustainable logs for sale, and by burning firewood responsibly you can lower your carbon footprint heavily. When you choose Essex firewood from County Logs and Coal, you are choosing a company that sells sustainable firewood and delivers across North East Essex, whilst ensuring that all logs have less than 20% moisture content, which means that they reach higher temperatures than seasoned or unseasoned firewood.
To keep toasty and warm with our firewood or for more information or telephone orders, contact us now. Or learn more about our amazing supplier; Woodsure here.