Paper use facts

According to a report by the Environmental Paper Network "global paper consumption is currently running at more that 350 million tons per year and fast approaching an unsustainable one million tons per day." One ton of unrecycled paper for printing and writing takes about 24 trees while one ton of newspaper print takes about 12 trees averaging out to 18 trees per ton of mixed types of paper.[1] 350 million tons of paper would then require 6.3 billion trees per year.  In 2005 NASA estimated about 400 billion trees on our planet.[2] Forestry.com states that 1.5 billion trees are planted each year.[3] This leaves a net of 4.8 billion yearly decrease of trees. One does not need Calculus to deduce that we will eventually run out of trees. Heavy deforestation has various environmenal consequences.

Environmental impact of deforestation [4]

• Contributes to global warming by increasing the greenhouse effect due to excess carbon in the atmosphere.
• Burning of of remaining vegetation after deforestation releases CO2 into the air contributing to global warming.
• Reduced content of water in soil and air.
• Reduces soil cohesion leading to erosion, flooding and landslides.
• Increases occurences of flash flooding.
• Reductions in biodiversity (5000 species a year) including plants used to develop new medicines.
• Destroys genetic variation.

Environmental impact of paper industry[5]

1. Paper manufacturing requires 42% of wood harvested for industrial use.
2. Paper manufacturing is the 4th largest contributor of greenhouse gasses.
3. 25% of landfill waste consists of paper products.
4. A 10% decrease of office papper use would be equivalent to 280,000 cars off the road.
5. 100% recycled content paper uses 44% less energy, emits 38% less greenhouse gases, 49% less solid waste and requires no wood.
6. Printing and writing papers contain 6% recycled content, tissues 45%, and newsprint 32%.

Ways of reducing paper use

1. RECYCLE! Ft. Lauderdale no longer even requires separation of recycleable materials; just throw every little piece of paper in the bin.
2. Buy recycled when possible. When looking at the big picture the extra dollar is worth it.
3. Use cloth bags when you go shopping. It will become habit and you will eventually remember to bring them with you.
4. Get a portable coffee mug and make another good habit.
5. Buy cloth kitchen towels for wiping hands and just use a new one each day. Use cloth towels to wipe clean, wet surfaces.
6. Use both sides of printer paper whenever possible.
7. Use scrap paper for your "to do" list.
8. Chose electronic mail as a way to pay your bills. Select on-line delivery for communication with your service providers.
9. Use smaller pieces of paper towels.
10. Remove yourself for unwanted mailing lists.

The average american uses over 700 lbs of paper per year.[6]  As usual knowledge is power and being aware of the problem is half the battle. By making small chages each individual can make tremendous changes on the collective level.  As mentioned above, there are around 400 billion trees on our planet.  This approximates to 61 trees per person.  Next time you throw away a coffee cup, ask yourself: Am I still using my trees or am I poaching from my neighbor's batch?

Sources

1. http://wiki.answers.com/Q/How_many_trees_are_cut_down_to_make_one_piece_of_paper
2. http://wiki.answers.com/Q/How_many_trees_are_there_in_the_world
3. http://wiki.answers.com/Q/How_many_trees_are_planted_a_year
4. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deforestation#Rates_of_deforestation
5. http://www.thedailygreen.com/environmental-news/latest/7447
6. http://www.thedailygreen.com/environmental-news/latest/7447