EarthCulture's Call for a Ban on Tropical Rainforest Woods

WHEREAS:

Rainforest destruction is one of the biggest human-caused environmental
catastrophes to date;

Tropical rainforests are home to over half the world's species and an
estimated 50 million indigenous peoples;

Global climate control hinges on the rainforests;

The rate of tropical deforestation is growing;

Commercial logging is the biggest threat to rainforest destruction, both in
its extraction of trees, and by opening the forests through roadbuilding.

THEREFORE:

EarthCulture, in conjunction with other international organizations, calls
for a global ban on commercial logging in tropical rainforests unless the
cutting can be done in an environmentally benign and socially responsible
manner, to be independently certified as such.

Because less than 1% of the rainforest wood coming into the US is
independently certified, the consumer should assume it is not, and avoid it
altogether, unless the item is labelled.

TERMS OF SUSTAINABILITY:

Plantation efforts must maintain biological diversity and must not use
chemical fertilizers, pesticides, or herbicides.

Efforts shall be made to reduce waste and over-harvesting.

Logging must not adversely effect water or soil quality, or significantly
increase erosion.

Logging must not conflict with indigenous peoples land rights, or displace
other land holders without consent. Indigenous peoples or other land
holders shall control forest management on their lands, unless they
delegate that responsibility to other parties. Communities shall be
consulted and updated in all logging operations.

Workers must be guaranteed safe working conditions and equitable pay and
work load. Workers should also be granted the right to organize and
negotiate with their employers.

Forest products must include the full price of acquiring the land,
management, and production, and must not be government subsidized
operations.

At the present time, only Forest Stewardship Council & FSC sanctioned
certifiers are reputable.

Partial List of Common Tropical Rainforest Woods:
Latin American Mahogany, Teak, Phillipine Mahogany, Virola, Ramin, Lauan,
Meranti, Purpleheart, Greenheart, Ebony, Rosewood, Ipe, Koa, Satinwood,
Bubinga, Banak, Wenge, Cocobolo, Zebrawood, Bella Rosa, Gaboon, Benge,
Amaranth, Acapu, Balsa, Cordia, Peroba, Movingui, Tigerwood, Almon, Padauk