Protecting national forests through the market place
Grassroots activism is no longer restricted to th
e field or courtroom. More and more, forest protection happens at the market-level where endangered forests end up on company shelves. Large companies like Staples or Home Depot, with billions invested in logos, brands, and corporate image, are moving to find appropriate alternatives rather than pay the high price of publicly defending logging activities.
Why the market place?
Every year, thousands of acres of our national forests are clearcut to produce disposable paper products. With industry projections indicating that demand for paper is only going to increase, it is clear that paper demands are putting unsustainable pressures on our public lands. We must fundamentally alter the sourcing of paper from federal lands and shift these companies towards a greater reliance on recycled and alternative fibers. With less than 2% of our nation’s wood supply coming from national forests, we simply do not need to log our remaining wildlands when viable alternatives exist.
Consumer power works!
The markets strategy has a proven track record of using consumer pressure to change the way paper and lumber are produced, marketed and sold in the U.S. Through consumer pressure, we can institute responsible purchasing policies.
