In North America, the building sector accounts for about 37% of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. That represents a tremendous opportunity to reduce climate change by building more, and specifically taller, wooden buildings. A recent study by a team of scientists from Yale University and the University of Washington estimated that global CO2 pollution could be…
Iridescent-yellow earmuffs protect the ears of the sawmill owner who’s coming from his lumberyard loader. As he slips off the neon-coloured hearing protection, Leonard McCarty, 68, raises his head, a cautious smile turning up the corners of his mouth to match the angle of his handlebar moustache. A work-toughened hand reaches out in greeting. There’s…
The coastal forest industry is facing economic and environmental constraints, while the municipalities most affected by the industry are unsure how to balance the two. “It’s positive to maintain natural green spaces and protected areas,” said Campbell River Mayor Andy Adams. “It’s also positive that there have been identified areas where there is continued allowable…
Mayors of B.C.’s coastal towns have expressed a lack of optimism for the forestry industry, according to a survey from the Truck Loggers Association. Twenty-seven mayors responded to the survey, said David Elstone, executive director of the association, which represents independent coastal logging companies. Elstone said many of the mayors said forestry in B.C. is in…
With B.C.’s billion-dollar softwood lumber business on the line, the province has been closely watching talks this week between U.S. President Barack Obama and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau – although a new trade deal remains elusive. The two leaders released a statement following their discussions on Wednesday that said the two nations had made important progress…
As talks continue about an overseas bid to purchase Catalyst Paper, the company announced June 30 that its four largest shareholders have decided to give Kejriwal Group International their backing. Catalyst owns Crofton mill. These “principal security holders” control approximately 79 per cent of Catalyst’s outstanding common shares and, according to a release from Catalyst…
One of the world’s largest logging companies is looking to get into the oil business. Canfor is in the early phases of developing what would be the first ever commercial-scale biocrude oil plant. The logging company is looking to convert wood waste from its pulp mills into mass quantities of crude oil at a new facility in Prince George. “In the…
Early market leader continues to innovate when it comes to woody biomass, fuel and recycling wood waste. Learn how you can improve your waste management based on Cloverdale? success. Biomass has been a rapidly growing component of the wood fiber market, but for Cloverdale Fuel, the trend is anything but new. The British Columbia-based wood…
In the wake of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and U.S. President Barack Obama yesterday placing a priority on renegotiating a softwood lumber agreement, the B.C. government is expressing appreciation. After all, the U.S. is B.C.’s largest market for softwood lumber products and, within Canada, more than 50% of Canada’s softwood lumber exports to the…
It wasn’t all bromance and backslaps in Ottawa when U.S. President Barack Obama addressed Parliament on Wednesday. Behind the closed doors of his bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, the tone abruptly changed from convivial to tense over softwood lumber — an export industry worth billions of dollars to Canadian producers. There are different accounts…