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Celebrating International Day of Forests

Celebrating International Day of Forests

What could be more appropriate on the International Day of Forests than a book that both explains and clarifies many of the forest buzzwords that are widely used today but often poorly understood? Author John Mullinder does just that in his recently published Little Green Lies and Other BS (From “Ancient” Forests to “Zero” Waste).

The provocatively-titled book uses United Nations data to outline how much forest the world currently has; the different types of forest; where it is; and what’s happening to it. The difference between forest cover loss and deforestation is explained, and the difficulties the UN faces in defining “degraded” forests and in achieving its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are outlined.

Terms and expressions such as “ancient”, “old-growth,” “pristine” forest, and “killing and saving trees” are closely examined. What do these terms mean? What’s behind them? What are the facts?

“It’s really a book about separating forest fact from forest fiction,” says Mullinder. “There is so much misinformation, exaggeration, omission of key information, and rampant confusion about forests and paper, especially on social media. That’s why I wrote this book, to provide the facts from credible sources, and to have them all noted at the back of the book so anyone can check them out. There is a lot of false and misleading info out there,’’ he says. “And it’s not just the sales and marketing people making these claims. It’s environmental groups and governments as well.”

The book’s 36 chapters cover a lot of ground and reveal some surprising facts: that most Canadian trees are below 100 years old; that only 0.15% of the boreal forest is harvested in any given year; that packaging grades are not responsible for any deforestation, mainly because most packaging in Canada is made from 100% recycled content (we knew that!); and that so-called alternative fibres like sugarcane (bagasse) and wheat straw have their own environmental problems.

As one of the book’s reviewers said: “This is a great reference book that will help you sort the facts from the fiction. If you’re a writer, editor, public relations professional, legislator, educator, work for an NGO, or are simply a consumer who wants to know the truth, this book should be on your shelf or Kindle list. I would have called it Big Green Lies, but Canadians are so much more understated and diplomatic.’’ (Robert Lilienfeld, Executive Director, SPRING).

BIO
John Mullinder has a solid background in both journalism and the paper industry. He was a television reporter, editor, and foreign correspondent (for Maclean’s magazine) in his native New Zealand before emigrating to Canada in the mid-1980s. In Canada, he led a national environmental counsel for the country’s paper packaging industry for 30 years, achieving many North American and world firsts in waste reduction and recycling. Little Green Lies and other BS is available in paperback or Kindle format via https://amzn.to/3wguRza

Read more of John Mullinder’s book reviews:

Perhaps most telling is what some of the book’s reviewers say about it:

  • “A great resource for anyone who wants to become better informed about critical issues that impact the health and future of our planet.” (Kathleen McFadden, Former Assistant Deputy Minister, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources & Forestry).
  • “Deserves wide readership by all who have an interest in environmental policy issues.” (David McRobert, Environmental Lawyer).
  • “Takes on myths and BS and it’s hard to find any omissions or factual errors in his arguments. Prodigious research and documentation. Words do matter, and I would add, so do facts. This book is a fitting testament to both.” (Michael Scott, Former CEO, Waste Diversion Ontario).
  • “The book is well organized and supported by extensive references to provide the reader with confidence that the explanations he provides in refuting the hype and lies are well-founded and based on facts, not marketing.” (Brian O, US reviewer).
  • “He succinctly captures in his unique curmudgeonly style, a wide array of questionable claims, exaggerations and outright lies circulating in the nexus of consumers, environmental activists, business and government. Pithy and entertaining, this is well worth your time.” (Michael G, US reviewer).