Hardback
Sustainable Forest Management and Global Climate Change
Selected Case Studies from the Americas
9781840641615 Edward Elgar Publishing
The UN Framework Convention on Climate Change recognises that, in the formulation of a global strategy for reducing global emissions of carbon (the main factor in global warming) forests could play an important role. This book highlights that role and demonstrates how the forests of the world may be harvested judiciously and sustainably. The authors argue that the forests are more than just a source of timber and wood; they discuss the role that forests play in reducing global warming, in preventing soil erosion and in helping to minimise the loss of biodiversity. Drawing on the expertise of contributors associated with the analysis of forests, this book is an in depth and fascinating discussion as well as a policy guide for the sustainable management of forests.
More Information
Critical Acclaim
Contributors
Contents
More Information
The UN Framework Convention on Climate Change recognises that, in the formulation of a global strategy for reducing global emissions of carbon (the main factor in global warming) forests could play an important role. This book highlights that role and demonstrates how the forests of the world may be harvested judiciously and sustainably. The authors argue that the forests are more than just a source of timber and wood; they discuss the role that forests play in reducing global warming, in preventing soil erosion and in helping to minimise the loss of biodiversity. Drawing on the expertise of contributors associated with the analysis of forests, this book is an in depth and fascinating discussion as well as a policy guide for the sustainable management of forests.
The book begins by considering the relevant biophysical aspects of forest management and then goes on to study the value of forests for providing carbon sinks that absorb, in part, the carbon released into the atmosphere through the burning of fossil fuels. The book ends with a more detailed analysis of case studies in forest policy in North, Central and South America.
This book will be of great interest to academics and policy groups within the many areas of environmental economics including global climate change and sustainable development.
The book begins by considering the relevant biophysical aspects of forest management and then goes on to study the value of forests for providing carbon sinks that absorb, in part, the carbon released into the atmosphere through the burning of fossil fuels. The book ends with a more detailed analysis of case studies in forest policy in North, Central and South America.
This book will be of great interest to academics and policy groups within the many areas of environmental economics including global climate change and sustainable development.
Critical Acclaim
‘Although previous work has in various ways touched on the many issues dealt with in this book, this work is unique in dealing with these issues in one single volume. The book goes beyond theory to demonstrate the many advantages of sustainable forest management. The 10 chapters presented in three parts cover diverse issues including biophysical aspects of forestry, carbon management, economic valuation of forests and forest management policy. . . This work is not only an interesting addition to the existing literature, but is also very timely especially when some countries (e.g. USA) have withdrawn from or are thumb twitching in ratifying the Kyoto protocol and failing to sign a global Forest Convention. Perhaps this book may influence a change of heart. The book certainly provides evidence that sustainable management of forests could be a useful tool in their fight against global warming in addition to other numerous use and non-use values that can be derived from the conservation and protection of forests. Such an approach offers countries a viable and a beneficial option in their battle against global warming. The research findings in the book give policy decision-makers added justification to protect and conserve forests. Although this book is a collection of case studies conducted in the Americas, the concepts and the empirical evidence produced are useful to other parts of the world including Australia, where the adoption of trees and forests as carbon sinks is being contemplated.’
– Clevo Wilson, Economic Analysis and Policy
‘Ironically, the threat of global warming damage provides us with one of the most powerful arguments for avoiding the worst excesses of another global problem – deforestation. Dore and Guevara have assembled a very impressive set of essays that show just how important our forests are as carbon stores and sinks. Let us hope someone is listening.’
– David Pearce, University College London, UK
‘Global carbon emissions from the burning of fossil fuels seem destined to rise with adverse consequences for global warming and for sea-level rise. This book explores how and to what extent conservation and re-growth of tropical forests can ameliorate this problem, as well as placing economic values on such strategies. Individual contributions draw on the Americas experience to examine biophysical aspects of forestry relevant to sustainability, evaluate the economics of forest retention giving particular attention to non-market values, and assess forest policies in terms of their impacts on environmental conservation. . . . a readable holistic book accessible to a wide audience of economists, non-economists and policymakers, highlighting a major problem which refuses to go away.’
– Clem Tisdell, University of Queensland, Australia
– Clevo Wilson, Economic Analysis and Policy
‘Ironically, the threat of global warming damage provides us with one of the most powerful arguments for avoiding the worst excesses of another global problem – deforestation. Dore and Guevara have assembled a very impressive set of essays that show just how important our forests are as carbon stores and sinks. Let us hope someone is listening.’
– David Pearce, University College London, UK
‘Global carbon emissions from the burning of fossil fuels seem destined to rise with adverse consequences for global warming and for sea-level rise. This book explores how and to what extent conservation and re-growth of tropical forests can ameliorate this problem, as well as placing economic values on such strategies. Individual contributions draw on the Americas experience to examine biophysical aspects of forestry relevant to sustainability, evaluate the economics of forest retention giving particular attention to non-market values, and assess forest policies in terms of their impacts on environmental conservation. . . . a readable holistic book accessible to a wide audience of economists, non-economists and policymakers, highlighting a major problem which refuses to go away.’
– Clem Tisdell, University of Queensland, Australia
Contributors
Contributors: T. Ammour, N.D.E. Barcellos, R. aus der Beek, F.C.B. Campello, M.H.I. Dore, R. Guevara, M. Johnston, S. Kengen, S.N. Kulshreshtha, F. Pareyn, O.A. Ramirez, G. Saénz, O. Segura-Bonilla, G. Sención, S. Shultz, P. Uhlig, N. Windevoxhel
Contents
Contents: Preface Introduction Part I: Biophysical Aspects of Forestry and Carbon Management Part II: The Economic Valuation of Forests: Boreal and Tropical Case Studies Part III: Forest Policy: Case Studies from North, Central and South America Index
