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By Donn Zea

Consortium for Research on Renewable Industrial Materials (CORRIM).

In a recent article in California Forests magazine, Bruce Lippke, president of CORRIM and a professor at the University of Washington's College of Forest Resources, reported that using steel generates 33Eo more greenhouse gas emissions than wood and concrete creates 807o more. "In fact, wood outperformed steel in terms of greenhouse gases. energy use. air and water emissions," wrote Lippke. When combined with wood's positive impacts, such as trees removing and storing carbon, wood is a far superior "green" choice, he wrote.

ease activists' concerns that forestry harmed our forests. But while these developments should result in advances for wood products and better understanding of sustainable forestry, instead the forest products industry remains at odds with people who disregard science and embrace myths.

Take, for example, so-called green building codes that encourage builders to use steel and concrete over wood products. How can anyone see steel and concrete as "more green" and superior to a renewable product like wood?

Creating steel and concrete products requires more fossil-fuel energy, resulting in more greenhouse gas emissions, energy consumption and water quality degradation than wood, accordins to scientists who created the

But still, groups create "green" building standards that don't recognize the impact of other materials or the benefits of forest products. Or, as Lippke notes, standards "often reflect more on a sponsor organization's agenda than a true scientifically based environmental footprint."

Dr. Jim Bowyer, professor emeritus, department of bio-based products, University of Minnesota, agrees: "Because green building programs have the potential to significantly influence builder and architect behaviors, it is important that these programs be free of bias and any political pressure that could compromise their ability to improve environmental performance."

Consumers have failed to embrace the Good Housekeeping-like seal that certification has delivered to many forestry companies that have voluntarily sought and received certification from the Forest Stewardship Council or the Sustainable Forestry Initiative.

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