Genetically Modified Trees
Climate change has already caused observable effects on the environment–from increased temperatures to glaciers melting, the effects will only continue to worsen as time goes by. Each effect on the environment will have a ripple effect throughout the system: the glaciers freezing will cause everything from floods to a decrease in plant and animal biodiversity. All these foreseen problems are occurring today, so the question becomes: what can be done to stop it?
Genetic Modified Trees – A Solution to Climate Change
The point of this blog is to examine the possibility of genetically modified trees being a solution to global warming. In doing so, the blog will consider the environmental, economic and social impacts of the genetically modified trees. Also included is a special case study on ArboGen, the largest paper supply company in the world, and a forerunner in the expansion of the genetically modified tree market.
The Vision: Fighting global warming with trees
“We are receiving a free subsidy from nature. Tropical forest trees are absorbing about 18% of the carbon dioxide added to the atmosphere each year from burning fossil fuels, substantially buffering the rate of change.” – Simon Lewis (Grey L., 2009)
Simon Lewis, a climate expert at the University of Leeds, led a extensive study of the girth of 70,000 trees across Africa. He addresses the one advantage trees have compared to other solutions to global warming: they actually remove greenhouse gases from the atmosphere. Most existing strategies work to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide and other gases being produced without addressing the already high levels that currently exist. Trees, however, absorb and store the key greenhouse gas emitted by our cars and power plants, carbon dioxide (CO2), before it has a chance to reach and heat up the upper atmosphere. Therefore, trees represent an important tool in the fight against global warming. (Grey L. 2009)A large tree can remove and store several tons of greenhouse gases over its lifetime. At the same time, these trees have another important advantage: they help moderate air temperatures. This reduces the need to burn fossil fuels to produce energy for air conditioning and heating. Every kilowatt-hour of electricity reduced means less carbon dioxide in the atmosphere (and also fewer air pollutants, less wasted water, and lower energy bills). (Grey L. 2009). Trees clearly have great potential, but how do genetically modified trees fit into the picture? The claim is that they have the potential to solve several problems. They can increase the productivity of industrial wood, reduce the harvesting pressure of old-growth and nature forests, and they can assist in the restoration of certain diseased species. The economic potential for GM trees may be enormous as well thanks to the huge market for timber.
Concerns
GM trees do have their downfall. There are a lot of concerns recognized by the Convention on Biological Diversity: an element of the body of United Nations Documents for earth stewardship. They passed a formal declaration to recognize the threats posed by GM trees, and urging all countries to approach the technology with caution. Jim Hightower is not just mentioning concerns, he thinks the idea of GM trees is outrageous. The following quote summarizes some of the future problems with GM trees.
“Here’s a great idea: Let’s bring into our country a genetically-engineered, non-native tree that is known to be wildly invasive, explosively flammable, and insatiably thirsty for ground water. Then let’s clone thousands of these living firecrackers and plant them in forested regions across seven Southern states, allowing them to grow, flower, produce seeds, and spread into native environments. Yes, this would be irresponsible, dangerous, and stupid – but apparently “Irresponsible, Dangerous, and Stupid” is the unofficial slogan of the U.S. Department Agriculture.“ – Jim Hightower (Hightower J., 2009, www.jimhightower.com)
The movie “A Silent Forest -The Growing Threat Genetically Engineered Trees” is an award winning documentary film. It explores the growing global threat of genetically engineered trees to our environment and to human health. The film features renowned geneticist, among others, David Suzuki (scientist, environmentalist and broadcaster), who explores the unknown and possibly disastrous consequences of improperly tested GE methods. Many scientists and activists are interviewed in the film, which serves as an effective and succinct tool for understanding the complex issue of GE trees. The movie is 15 minutes long and we recommend it to everybody. It is a real eyeopener. The following movie is much shorter and summarizes the most popular concerns about genetic modified trees. It is also focusing on Arbogen, the world's largest producer of tree seedlings, with operations in 20 locations in four countries.[kml_flashembedmovie=”http://www.youtube.com/v/xoLBeqoxFRI” width=”425″ height=”350″ wmode=”transparent” /]
This blog was created by students in the Geography department at the University of Richmond as a research project for the class Geographies of Economic Development and Globalization.