August 28, 2024 | UDN, Taiwan |
In late March 2024, a bookstore subsidy committee member sparked controversy by criticizing book publishing's heavy paper usage as unsustainable. However, others argued that buying books contributes to sustainable, low-carbon living. The debate centers on whether tree felling for products or paper weakens forests' carbon sequestration capabilities.
Taiwan’s forests, covering 60% of its land, sequester 21.5 million metric tons of CO2e annually, offsetting about 7.36% of national emissions. Proper forest management, including selective tree harvesting, maintains ecosystem health. The harvested wood retains carbon, offering an alternative form of storage. However, excessive paper use still raises sustainability concerns.