When we think about deforestation our
mind goes directly to the Amazon forest in South America. But there
is another piece of untouched nature that is disappearing: the
Swedish forest.
Under the new slogan “bioeconomy”, many
industry sectors want to use more trees as raw material: fuel for
cars, single-use packaging, drinking cartons, paper, house
construction just to mention a few. Forests are called Green Gold.
Logging companies are buying the rights to clearcut forest land
and nobody seems to be able to stop this process since the Swedish
law protects just nature reserves or equivalent. Sometimes trees
plantations replace the ancient forest but these monocoltures are not
able to sustain the life of many species that are currently
disappearing.
Only 4,7% of the Swedish land is protected by law.
Research shows that at least 20% of the natural forest landscape
needs to be preserved if a diversity of species are to survive. Many
ngos, such as Greenpeace, are currently campaigning to convince the
Swedish government to reach the goal of 20%.
Many people want
to keep the forest alive for different reasons and stand against
deforestation. They are portrayed in clear-cut areas or in old and
untouched forest of Sweden and answered the question “Why do you
care this forest?”
