|
| Furniture manufacturers' green
habits helping the environment |
When five firefighters were killed in a southern California
wildfire last summer, sixty square miles of California's
lands were charred and lost as well. What's more is
that these five tragedies could have been prevented
- it seems to have been caused by an act of arson. While
these events outrage a community as well as those that
lost loved ones, it only brings attention to the fact
that the wildfire situation is out of control.
|
California experienced an unprecedented amount of
forest fires in the southern and western regions of
the state. With the warmer temperatures and fewer
rainy days, conditions were ripe for the spread of
human-caused fires as well as naturally occurring
brush fires. Add into this mix the human factor of
arson; the state's forests and brush suffered a terrible
loss. While many people still sit and wonder why,
others are trying to find ways to prevent these tragedies.While
it's true that forest fires can be a natural part
of the cycle of forest life, to many can have a negative
impact on a states economy as well as the environment.
When a fire could have been maintained or prevented
by the removal of dead trees, it becomes apparent
that green living helps more than the environment
- it helps prevent unnecessary loss of life and property.
When trees die within a forest, they become tinder.
Nothing more than fuel for the next wildfire, these
trees stand as kindling among the living vegetation
and become the next fire season's co-conspirators.
However, some green-minded individuals are looking
to change the way this cycle of nature is perpetuating
new forest losses. In the making of aspen log furniture
, no live or growing trees are taken for the production
of 'new' pieces of furniture. In fact, in making their
rustic furniture , the twisted timber only uses trees
that have been dead for at least a season, clearing
the ground and allowing for new uninhibited tree growth.The
use of these dead trees results in less kindling for
forest fires. Unlike traditional saw mills that clear
cut forests to procure new wood for furniture and
home building, green companies are looking to allow
for the regeneration of forests in a natural manner
- by not taking existing, living trees.
Forests that have been cleaned of dead undergrowth
will be able to increase the natural growing cycle,
creating a bio-diverse environment that is lush and
full of moisture - once again, limiting the effects
of naturally-occurring forest fires.The old saying
from Smokey the Bear that, "Only you can prevent
wildfires" rings true today for those that are
looking for environmentally conscious ways of living.
And through the rustic furniture trend, Smokey the
Bear may have found a way to persevere his cause.
It's a cause that affects everyone, even if we're
not in the path of the fire itself, as a human race.
We are in the path of the possibility and the responsibility
to do something about it.
Go back to Articles page
|
|
