Deforestation the main contributor to global warming

When it comes to carbon dioxide emissions, gas-guzzling SUV's are certainly a problem.  But an even larger problem, according to the numbers, is deforestation.  Forests are necessary because trees breathe in carbon dioxide, and exhale oxygen.  The less forests, the more carbon emissions.  Here is the data:

Portion of all carbon dioxide "emissions" worldwide from lost forestland: 25 percent

Amount of carbon dioxide stored in 1 ton of wood: 3.66 tons

Tons of carbon per acre in an old-growth redwood forest: 3,750 or more

Annual carbon dioxide "emissions" from deforestation in California: 11 million tons

Number of cars to emit 11 million tons of carbon dioxide annually: 1.57 million

Number of SUVs to emit 11 million tons of carbon dioxide annually: 895,000

Value in California of 1 ton of carbon stored through forest growth: $5 to $20

Portion of U.S. landmass covered by forest at time of European settlement: 2/3

Portion of U.S. landmass covered by forest now: 1/3

Acres of forest lost in the United States each year: 1 million

For some reason, people tend to focus solely on the carbon dioxide that is emitted from automobiles, which is no doubt a problem.  But by the numbers, we would be smart to make the issue of deforestation a higher priority if we want to reduce the effects of global warming.

Comments

[Richard Wheeler, RPF Ret.]

As a Retired Professional Forester and who also served as a Fire Commander on
major fires, it is my opinion that just reserving Forests and Forest Land is the wrong thing to do.

The answer to over-logging, forest fires, insects and diseases of Forests is Forest Management by Professional Foresters who have the education and experience.

Taking Forest Land out of Management and Production results in more fires, more insects, more rot and less production of valuable timber, which we are now importing from Canada.

The present political management of the Forests (Public & Private) has created more fuel for fires, more dead and dying trees, prescribed burns that escape and burn valuable timber, elimination of timber harvest and salvage sales which provide funding for the Professional Management of the Forests and Forest Lands of California.

The Public and the Politicians have been sold a bill of protection which has no
economic base.

I challenge any expert scientist to show me the damaged caused to the forests of
California where Professional Foresters were in charge of the MANAGEMENT.

All California Forests are under the authority of the Congress, the Legislature or short lived human ownerships.

It is these untrained individuals with short termed interests who control the Forests and Forest Lands of California and who make the less than professional decisions that result in the undesirable results we see today.

I could go on and on, but as I'm in the Minority, without any authority, it would do little good.