Green Contradictions, Whispers of the Forest: Shaky Hopes and Perils of Woody Biomass (May 2003)
In May 2003, Japan's national policy of creating a "recycling-oriented society" was accelerating the introduction of renewable energy. Among these, woody biomass was attracting attention as a way to break through the decline of the forestry industry. This attempt to reuse thinned and harvested timber as fuel was promoted by local governments, private companies, and even the national government as an "ecological trump card" that would simultaneously promote forest improvement and counter global warming.
Behind this hope, however, a quiet but definite warning bell has been ringing. Can the act of "burning trees" really be a way to coexist in harmony with nature? In order to nurture forests, it is essential not only to cut down trees but also to maintain a balance between conservation and recycling. Excessive demand hinders the healthy growth of forests, resulting in side effects such as loss of topsoil, loss of biodiversity, and a decrease in CO2 absorption capacity. In particular, the commercialization of thinned timber has begun to point out the danger of logging becoming an end in itself.
In addition, at the time, Japan was experiencing a depopulation of mountain villages and a serious shortage of forestry workers. Even after trees were cut down, reforestation and management of the forests did not take place, and the mountains left unattended became more and more desolate. The "new resource" of biomass, ironically, had the potential to become a blade that could undermine the forest.
Can being eco-friendly really save nature? A contradiction in which an initiative started with the best of intentions leads to environmental destruction. It was a quiet demand from the times that we need to rethink the very idea of being green.
Mori says, "We are not just to be used. We are not just to be used.
We are being questioned.
Are we prepared to listen carefully to this green future?
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