Opinel reaffirms its commitment to sustainability of forest heritage through PEFC certification

Stora Enso has joined the New Plastics Economy Global Commitment to eliminate plastic waste and pollution at the source. The Global Commitment and its vision for a circular economy for plastic is led by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, in collaboration with UN Environment. For Stora Enso, signing the commitment is another step to combat the global problem of plastic pollution by providing renewable alternatives. Stora Enso will contribute by cooperating with customers and suppliers to develop circular and low carbon solutions to replace plastic packaging. The materials are based on wood fibres from sustainably managed forests and plantations. This commitment is an example of the increasing demand for alternatives to plastic, also demonstrated by the EU’s recent policy on single-use plastics. Click Read More below for additional detail.

An editorial, “Pushing back against progressive bullies,” which appeared in The Wall Street Journal on March 18, 2016, provides an interesting synopsis of the events between Resolute and Greenpeace and concludes: “Greenpeace has tried to contain the Resolute case and ensure it only affects its Canadian operations, but Justice Fitzpatrick wisely understood that it is one global organization. Now the Divisional Court in Ontario is considering the issue and if Greenpeace loses again, the outfit could soon be coughing up the internal documents behind its various campaigns of fear and intimidation world-wide.”

As the climate changes, ecosystems around the world are also changing. Some say trees are getting shorter and younger, but there are ways to mitigate this. Environmental and climate changes are transforming the world’s forests. A new study published by scientists at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) suggests that these changes are causing trees to become smaller and younger. Is this really the case and if yes, what can we do about it? Indeed, the rising temperatures are a source of stress for trees. Matti Maajärvi, Senior Specialist of Global Forest Affairs at UPM Forest, says that as the climate changes, “the frequency of negative natural phenomena – such as extreme droughts, forest fires and mass outbursts of pests – can impact the forests adversely.”