Chopping down boreal forests…

Chopping down boreal forests to produce energy is complete folly at a time when our planet, and all of us that depend on it, which includes whoever is reading this comment, is on the brink of climate catastrophe.

It is no surprise that the forestry industry is marketing wood pellets (biomass) as a climate solution to replace fossil fuels, but the fact is that burning wood pellets is dirtier than coal at the smokestack. While wood pellets are supposed to be made from wood waste and dead trees, we’re seeing more whole trees from across Canada, logged and exported to produce carbon loaded energy internationally.

This is contributing to the fact that Canadian forests, which used to be act as carbon sinks, are now carbon sources. We cannot afford to lose anymore of our forest, particularly as a source for electricity, when so many other clean and sustainable options are available.

Your government claims that expanding the wood pellet industry will provide alternative employment for fossil fuel workers, but the fact is that these would be jobs in an industry that dumps more carbon into the atmosphere than what it's replacing.

I respectfully ask that the government of Ontario stop expansion of the wood pellet industry, stop greenwashing this practice as part of a climate solution thereby deceiving the public to generate higher demand and open up new market pathways.

May you, your loved ones and all beings be safe, healthy and happy and may all beings live in peace. Thank you.