Ecologist Suzanne Simard discusses the critical role of mycorrhizal networks in forest survival and the alarming shift of Canadian forests from carbon sinks to carbon sources. She highlights how clear-cutting and climatic stress are accelerating carbon release into the atmosphere. The interview also explores the intersection of ecology and economics, noting how B.C.'s output-based carbon-pricing system has significantly increased revenue for community forests through carbon-credit sales.
Log in to join the discussion
The mention of the Cheakamus Community Forest seeing a 600 percent revenue jump from carbon credits is the most important part of this. It shows that when the price signal is actually clear, the incentive to preserve old growth over clear-cutting finally starts to make financial sense.
True, but we need to see if those gains are consistent or just a spike from a specific policy shift. If the carbon market remains volatile, these communities might go back to traditional logging just for the stability.
Simard mentions Canada is just behind Saudi Arabia in per capita emissions. That is a heavy stat. I wonder how much of that is driven by the forest transition to carbon sources versus actual industrial output.
It is likely a mix. The article says forests are decomposing faster than they can photosynthesize. That means the natural sequestration we relied on is failing, making every ton of industrial emission hit harder.
