The last great forest

imported
#1

Has anyone noticed yet that there is now only one great forest left in the world, with all the other great forests having been decimated?

Conan

Conan

#2

Is it the great Siberian forest of Russia? I understand the Amazon forest has been hacked up pretty well.

Greenleaf

#3

I would have to say that the other great forests have been reduced by a factor greater than ten percent.

Which is the literal interpretation of ‘decimate.’

Kineo Kid

#4

Dear Greenleaf (what a beautiful name):

The last great forest is the Great Northern Forest located just below the Arctic Circle. It runs across the top of the world, covering Alaska, Canada, Norway, Sweden, Finland and Siberia. All the others have been reduced to a mere whisper and fading memory of their past greatness.

Dear Kineo Kid:

I believe the literal interpretation of “decimate” is “to reduce to 1/10 of its previous size.” This would mean a 90% loss or reduction in size. Whether your definition is correct, or mine, it was mine that was meant by me.

For example: The 48 contiguous United States lost 90% of its forests in the 20th Century, the 1900’s, the time of our grandparents, parents and ourselves. In the history of the world, this constitutes the blink of an eye. Our country stands out as a prime example of the problem.

Meanwhile, the Great European Forest is basically gone, while the Great African Forest and the Great South American Forest are in the process of disappearing before our eyes. Every day, more is taken.

Two principle facts now stand before us. First, the remains of our Great Forests are constantly shrinking. Second, it is humanity, engaging in poor choices, which is the cause.

Sincerely–Conan.

Conan

#5

One victory for the forests is the recent deal to protect the Great Bear Forest on the coast of British Colombia, Canada. It’s the largest remaining temperate rain forest in the world, and is home to the rare white “Spirit Bear.”

Had it not been for the extraordinary efforts involving honest negotiation among environmentalits, the logging industry, native nations, and government, this forest too would have disappeared to the chainsaws in short order.

For a look at this forest, see “Spirit Bear: Encounters With the White Bear of the Western Rainforest,” by Andy Russell.

Greenleaf

#6

Decimate originally meant to reduce BY 1/10th, not TO 1/10th. A Roman legion, being punished by decimation, would have every 10th soldier killed.

bullet

#7

The deal officially protects only 5 million of the 19 million acres of the Great Bear Rainforest. Hopefully the 5 million are along the coast and bays where most of the old growth is.

Greenleaf

#8

Here’s another book with lotsa good photos: “The Great Bear Rainforest: Canada’s Forgotten Coast.”

Greenleaf