Forests

Japan's Role in Rainforest Destruction

We're throwing away our forests!

According to the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), Japan is the number one consumer of rainforest wood, importing half of all that is sold in the world. Nearly all of the trees in the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, and other South East Asian countries are gone. Thanks to new technology, forests can be logged faster and faster, day and night.

As major consumers of rainforest products, it is our responsibility to consume less and to support efforts to protect what is left of our Earth's vanishing rainforests.

Most of the wood Japan buys is used in construction. Wood boards are used as molds to shape concrete while it is poured and after being used only once or twice, they are thrown away. Waribashi (disposable wooden chopsticks) waste the second greatest amount of wood. Every year in Japan, the production of wood-based throwaway products increases: waribashi, waribashi wrappers, tissues, toilet paper, disposable diapers, paper cartons, paper towels, newspapers, cardboard, leaflets, wrapping paper ... the list goes on.

Not only are we destroying forests, but we are adding to the garbage problem. When these products go in the garbage, they are incinerated, which releases even more deadly CO₂ into the atmosphere.

We can all help stop this problem by consuming less, insisting on less packaging, and recycling everything possible. We must also choose to buy more recycled goods and other environmentally-friendly products.