Forest & Climate Change

The Carbon Cycle

Sustainable forest management can play a significant role in global greenhouse gas mitigation efforts. That’s because forests convert atmospheric carbon dioxide to wood and pure oxygen they grow. In managed forests, such as Sierra Pacific Industries' (SPI), some of that wood is converted into wood products for consumers where the carbon can remain stored for long periods.

Overall, for the United States, the climate benefits provided by forests are substantial. Currently, it is estimated that U.S. forests sequester more than 10 percent of the industrial emissions of greenhouse gases. This equates to over 200 million metric tons of CO2 equivalents per year.