Forest mindset 'needs to change'

The mentality that a dead forest is worth more than a live one must be changed if woodland areas are to be saved and climate change tackled.

That is according to the Kamalesh Sharma, secretary-general of the Commonwealth, who claimed that forests must be saved in order to help reduce the effects of climate change.

Speaking ahead of next year's Commonwealth Forestry Conference, which is scheduled to take place in Edinburgh, he explained that healthy forests store large amounts of carbon dioxide that would otherwise build up in the atmosphere.

"Forests and forest lands play a pivotal, life-supporting role in the lives of Commonwealth citizens across the globe," said Mr Sharma.

"They provide us all with many benefits, including our livelihoods, vital ecosystem services, raw materials, fuel, and goods for trading."

The Forestry Commission, which is organising the Edinburgh conference, is hoping that a number of influential scientists, foresters and policy-makers will attend the event.

The Commonwealth Forestry Conference will take place at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre from June 28th to July 2nd 2010.

Last week, fears were raised by the Woodland Trust Scotland that a planned holiday resort development in Perthshire could destroy a large section of the ancient Caledonian forest.

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