Revision:Footprints

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The impact of the UK on the world's forests is greater than that of many larger countries, according to a new WWF report. The UK's forest footprint shows that, despite accounting for less than one per cent of the world's population, the UK requires at least 6.4 million hectares of forest - an area nine times the size of Ireland - to supply its annual demand for timber products. This unsustainable consumption has profound impacts, both on the forests themselves and on the people who depend upon them.

However, by adopting equitable and sustainable forest policies, this footprint could have positive impacts on people and the environment.

"WWF believes that it's time to change our way of thinking when it comes to commerce and the impacts of UK companies," said Dr Paul Toyne, WWF's senior forests officer. "It's not just about providing the cheapest option at any social or environmental cost, but about taking the most sustainable option. We must reduce our negative forest footprint on the world."

The UK's forest footprint

The UK's forest footprint, as defined in the report, is "the total environmental and social cost of UK actions on the world's forest and forest peoples." This cost can be divided into three broad categories:

• Direct impacts such as timber consumption, resource extraction and construction
• Indirect impacts such as air pollution, invasive species and tourism
• Impact through policies and investment strategies - particularly aid policies

Within these areas, the report draws upon a series of 12 case studies, including the timber trade, agriculture, invasive species, mining, oil and gas, climate change, air pollution, tourism, aid and UK policy. These studies show that although some positive impacts can be identified, the UK is still having a net negative footprint on the world's forests.

The report cites three important reasons for the UK's disproportionate forest footprint:

1. its colonial legacy on forest cover and policies around the world (generally negative);
2. its continuing status as a powerful economic force (mixed positive and negative impacts);
3. the involvement of UK-based development and conservation organisations around the world (generally positive).

Comments

These notes are aimed at students studying for Edexcel B geography A Level for the 'Population and the Economy' section, though will be suitable also for people studying with different exam boards and at different levels.

They were originally submitted by _poptart_ in this thread on TSR Forums.