De Clarke/ Cortes Currents -Public opinion and Federal and Provincial policy are finally swinging (at the eleventh hour) towards protection of the pathetic remnants of BC’s old growth forest and possibly some reform of forest management practise. In response, the timber/pulp industry appears to be mounting a last-ditch PR effort to defend its traditional extractive model and discredit its most vocal critics.
One fingerprint of this effort can be found in a recent Times-Colonist opinion/editorial by Alice Palmer. Published on April 20th, the article reassures readers that
The supposed “fact” that less than three per cent of B.C.’s productive old growth remains standing, and the implicit suggestion that we’re about to lose that too, are both patently untrue.
There is actually much more old growth left, and the majority of it is protected from logging.
Ms Palmer goes on to define “old growth.” She then cites some statistics from “forestry consultants” — from reports “from 2020 and 2021” — but with no authors, titles, or links. One set of data indicates concern because only about 3 percent of our old growth still stands, the other is far more reassuring and claims it’s more like 25 percent, nothing to worry about.
Ms Palmer strongly implies that the first set of numbers was arrived at by outmoded methods, whereas the second set is state of the art science; and therefore “We can relax, knowing BC’s old growth is safe.” She ends with the now industry-standard condescending pat on the head for activists:
… before risking your life for the cause, I beg you: please read the science first. You’ll be glad you did.
Is this the best the timber industry can do to fend off its critics? A few quick clicks are all it takes to cast some shade on this sunny picture.
