Short Wave Logging 'The Lungs' of North America
Oct 23, 2019
Discover the breathtaking Tongass National Forest, the largest intact temperate rainforest in the world, tucked away in southeast Alaska. Delve into the rich cultural heritage of the Haida tribe and their deep-rooted connection to the land. Explore the intricate balance between logging and carbon sequestration and its effects on local communities. Learn about the emotional toll of potential logging changes and hear a former logger's transformative journey toward conservation. Will environmental protections hold up against economic interests?
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Tongass upbringing
- Anthony Christensen, mayor of Heidelberg, Alaska, grew up hunting and fishing in the Tongass.
- He worked in the logging industry, loading massive trees onto ships for export.
Tongass and Carbon Sequestration
- Trees in the Tongass National Forest play a vital role in carbon sequestration.
- They absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, mitigating global warming.
Roadless Rule Threat
- The Trump administration's proposed changes to the Roadless Rule threaten the Tongass.
- Opening access to logging and road construction could release stored carbon.