Wise Woodsmen Norway Bans Deforestation Products


The Norwegian Parlia- ment Standing Commit- tee on Energy and En- vironment has pledged that the government will follow a deforestation- free public procurement policy, meaning that any product that contributes to deforestation will not be used by the country as part of an Action Plan on Nature Diversity. Rainforest Foundation Norway was the main lobby- ing influence behind this recommendation and has worked for years to bring the pledge into existence. “This is an important victory in the fight to protect the


rainforest,” says Nils Hermann Ranum, head of policy and cam- paign for the committee. “Over the last few years, a number of companies have committed to cease the procurement of goods that can be linked to destruction of the rainforest. Until now, this has not been matched by similar commitments from govern- ments. The Norwegian state is now following suit and making the same demands when it comes to public procurements.” Deforestation is estimated to comprise about 15 per- cent of all greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to climate change and disrupting natural cycles and livelihoods, accord- ing to the World Wildlife Fund. Removal of trees can disrupt a region’s water cycle, resulting in changes in precipitation and river flow that also contribute to erosion.


Source: EcoWatch.com


Good Move Officials Urge Chinese to Cut Meat Consumption


Chinese officials have announced dietary guidelines designed to re- duce the country’s meat consump- tion by 50 percent. The campaign includes a series of billboards and advertisements featuring American celebrities Arnold Schwarzenegger and James Cameron. “China’s move to cut meat


consumption in half would not only have a huge impact on public health, it is also a massive leadership step towards drastically reducing carbon emissions and reaching the goals set out in the Paris agreement,” says Cameron.


Source: EcoWatch.com


There is a crack in everything. That’s how the light gets in. ~Leonard Cohen


natural awakenings December 2016 9


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