Forest Activism
Most Americans don’t even know our country has rainforests (not tropical, but temperate) which are often called ‘Old Growth’ or ‘Ancient Forests’. They possess the same irreplaceable wealth of biological diversity the rainforests of Brazil have, and less than 5% of them are left (source: National Geographic, Sept. 1990). What little is left of the National Forest land, is primarily in Oregon and Washington (the Pacific Northwest), and in Alaska. The National Forest Service is busy selling it at cut-rate prices to the timber industry, even though the timber industry’s own private forests, if logged sustainably, could provide us with all the timber we need.

The industry has tried to paint a picture of preservation versus jobs. In fact, loggers have been losing jobs even while cutting has increased to record rates, for two reasons: mechanization (modern clear-cutting doesn’t need much labor) and the export of raw logs to Japan, denying American workers the chance to process them. This is a disaster for our economy. A good place to start is to stop the over $700 million per year in taxpayer subsidies which enable corporations to log on public lands, by funding their road building, tree replanting, and program administration. This does not include the indirect costs to the fishing and tourism industries. The public is widely supportive of efforts to convince Congress to pass Zero-Cut legislation (a.k.a. the National Forest Protection and Restoration Act) that would end all logging in the National Forests. SEACers have been mobilizing around this issue all over the country.

You can also stop logging by fighting individual forest timber sales. Adopt a local forest. Keep track of what projects are being proposed and mobilize friends to write public comments. If a bad plan is still about to go through, you can do research, file an appeal and challenge it in court as a violation of federal law or of the area’s ‘Forest Plan.’

Materials Reduction
Also called “Pre-cycling.” Don’t produce so much waste in the first place! Even recycling is a manufacturing process that uses energy and creates toxins. Individuals, and schools as a whole, should use re-usables and washables instead of disposables, buy in bulk and avoid products with excessive packaging. Educate local merchants about our waste problem, and how they can help by reducing their use of disposables. Get them (and your school dining services) to offer discounts to people who bring their own mugs, etc. Marketing your own reusable mug can be a good fundraiser—some groups have raised over $1000 in a few weeks. Have an “Enviro-Keg” party and sell ‘em there. A lot of consumption in our society is excessive and endangering to our planet. Promote simple living.