NZ Foresters Warn: No Kyoto Carbon Sinks (not enough trees being planted)

[hatrack]

The carbon credit surplus posited by the government as a justification for the enormous costs of signing onto the Kyoto accord are not likely to be there when they're needed, foresters said today.

That's because trees -- the country's primary source of carbon credits -- are simply not being planted, said Forest Owners Association president Peter Berg.

Mr Berg said the average new rate of new forest planting for the last 30 years has been 44,900 hectares a year. In 2002, it dropped to 22,000 ha and last year to 10,600 ha, with forward orders placed at tree nurseries indicating a further decline this year.

Meanwhile, the gap between the area harvested and area replanted has grown, with increasing areas of harvested forest being converted to dairying and other livestock."

EDIT

http://www.nbr.co.nz/home/column_article.asp?id=12177&cid=4&cname=Business+Today