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An Arbor Day Question – Are there too many trees or not enough?

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28 Apr, 2023

This post was originally published on Healthy Forest

By Kyle Johnson

Editors note: Kyle Johnson is a forester with the Bureau of Land Management’s Missoula Field Office. Mr. Johnson is not affiliated with Healthy Forests, Healthy Communities but gave us permission to share his Arbor Day message.

For Arbor Day (this Saturday April 29th) I thought we’d tackle a question that’s been vexing me for a while: How can it be that we often hear forests are imperiled, while also hearing that our forests are overcrowded? Are there too many trees or not enough? Like I said, this question often bothers me because I feel that the lay person and public at large may be confused by these seemingly contradicting messages, so let’s take a deeper look.

As mentioned in previous posts, here in the USA we are fortunate to have some of the most robust and stringent environmental laws and regulations in the world. Our collective awareness of taking care of the environment is amazing and also a benefit of being a developed, first-world country. Many nations in the world are still struggling to get by, and taking full advantage of their natural resources is one of the few avenues they have for profit let alone survival. This is the same as we did here in the US not that long ago, and I don’t write this from a place of judgement, but understanding. That said, there are indeed places and especially the jungle regions where deforestation and exploitation of the natural resources are advancing at a rate that they may forever lost if we as a global community don’t change our course. And I’ll add that we in the US contribute to these seemingly far away problems by buying from those regions and helping to fund or incentivize the destruction. Closer to home, habitat loss is a real problem in our nation as well, typically due to development and urban sprawl. Our cultural pursuit of “a place of our own” often comes at the cost of the wild critters who once lived there. So it’s true, globally deforestation and loss of habitat is a real problem facing our forests.

Conversely, here at home our public forests are by and large, overcrowded and suffering and epidemic of too many trees. This is due in large part to fire suppression that became national policy around 1915, and past harvesting practices that replaced stands of large, widely spaced trees with regenerated stands of small trees, densely stocked. It sounds counter intuitive perhaps to suggest that cutting more trees is the cure for cutting trees in the past, but that is in fact often the case. By selective harvesting, thinning and returning fire to the landscape we aim to produce healthier trees and by extension healthier forests that may one day again resemble their natural condition, and will be resilient to the challenges of a changing climate. While we have too many trees in these forests today, that could all change in the future if they succumb to insects, disease and megafires that are becoming more and more common in recent years.

It’s a tough nut to crack perhaps, and I appreciate your patience as I try to unravel it with you. The truth is there too many trees and not enough at the same time at the global scale, and we have to look a little closer to get a clearer picture. With that said, if you are inspired in plant a tree in your yard for Arbor Day, please do! “Blessed Are Those Who Plant Trees Under Whose Shade They Will Never Sit” – Unknown.

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Source: Healthy Forest

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Embedding environmental stewardship into IT governance frameworks

Embedding environmental stewardship into IT governance frameworks

Integrating environmental stewardship into IT governance frameworks has become essential as businesses increasingly prioritise sustainability. IT operations contribute significantly to carbon emissions, energy consumption and electronic waste (e-waste). Organisations that embed environmental responsibility into their IT governance can reduce their ecological footprint, improve operational efficiency and strengthen their brand reputation.

Erica Smith, chief alliance officer and environmental, social and governance lead, Blue Connections IT, said, “Environmental stewardship supports financial performance, risk mitigation and brand differentiation. With rising energy costs, increased consumer demand for sustainable products and services, and growing pressure from investors and regulators, companies can no longer afford to overlook their environmental responsibilities.

“Poor sustainability practices in IT can lead to high operational costs, supply chain risks and reputational damage. Conversely, a proactive approach improves efficiency, attracts environmentally conscious customers and helps future-proof businesses against evolving policy and regulatory changes.

“Integrating environmental responsibility into IT governance integrates sustainability initiatives into decision-making systematically. Organisations can reduce waste, lower energy consumption and extend the lifecycle of technology assets while positioning themselves as responsible leaders in an increasingly climate-aware market.”

There are four key areas that present opportunities to embed environmental stewardship into IT governance frameworks.

1. Device lifecycle management

A structured approach to managing the lifecycle of IT assets ensures devices are deployed efficiently, maintained properly and retired responsibly at the end of their useful life. Embracing a circular economy model, where equipment is refurbished, reused or ethically recycled, can significantly reduce e-waste and resource use. Companies that adopt this approach lower their environmental impact and unlock financial value by extending the lifecycle of IT assets.

Smith said, “Effective asset recovery strategies further support sustainability efforts. Integrating secure data erasure and refurbishment into IT governance policies lets businesses repurpose functional devices within the organisation or resell them to external buyers. Responsible e-waste recycling also supports companies to process materials ethically in instances where resale is not viable, reducing landfill contributions and preventing environmental contamination. The adoption of industry-certified data sanitisation methods also safeguards compliance with security and privacy regulations.”

2. Sustainable procurement

IT governance frameworks should prioritise the selection of technology vendors and partners committed to sustainable manufacturing, responsible sourcing and energy-efficient product design. This includes favouring IT hardware with a high percentage of post-consumer recycled materials and using minimal packaging. Additionally, employing Device-as-a-Service (DaaS) models optimises IT asset utilisation while reducing upfront investment and unnecessary hardware purchases.

Partnerships with sustainability-driven IT service providers can further enhance an organisation’s environmental impact. Working with partners that offer end-to-end IT asset management solutions, encompassing secure device deployment, certified data sanitisation and ethical recycling, simplifies the process of aligning IT operations with sustainability goals. Companies that prioritise environmental stewardship in their IT governance framework gain a competitive advantage by demonstrating their commitment to responsible business practices.

3. Energy consumption

Data centres, cloud services and enterprise networks require substantial energy resources, making green IT practices essential. IT governance frameworks should include policies to reduce consumption by optimising server efficiency, reducing redundant infrastructure and using renewable energy sources. Cloud providers with strong sustainability credentials can support carbon reduction initiatives, while virtualisation strategies can consolidate workloads and improve overall energy efficiency.

4. Employee engagement

Educating staff on sustainable IT practices, such as energy-efficient device usage and responsible e-waste disposal, creates a culture of accountability. Organisations that implement green workplace initiatives, such as responsible end-of-life disposal programs, reinforce their commitment to sustainability at all levels.

“IT governance must also align with corporate environmental, social and governance commitments. Companies can contribute to broader sustainability objectives by embedding environmental stewardship into IT policies, such as net-zero emissions targets and responsible supply chain management. Clear reporting mechanisms and regular sustainability audits aid transparency, letting businesses track their progress and demonstrate accountability to stakeholders,” Smith said.

Government regulations and evolving industry standards are increasingly shaping the sustainability expectations for organisations. Aligning IT governance frameworks with best practices for environmental stewardship keeps companies ahead of regulatory requirements. Proactive adoption of sustainable IT practices positions businesses as industry leaders in environmental responsibility.

Smith said, “Integrating environmental stewardship into IT governance frameworks is not just about meeting compliance obligations; it’s about futureproofing company operations and prioritising the broader environment. Taking a proactive approach to sustainability lets organisations drive efficiency, reduce long-term costs and contribute to a healthier planet. Businesses that lead in sustainable IT governance will be well-positioned for long-term success as environmental concerns continue to shape consumer and corporate priorities.”

Image credit: iStock.com/Petmal

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