U.S. endorses project to help forests in RI<\/p>\n
WASHINGTON (Reuter): In a move to help stem global warming,
\nthe U.S. Energy Department Monday endorsed a project to curb
\ndamage to forests in Indonesia.<\/p>\n
Under the privately-financed project, California-based
\nconsultant COPEC and Washington-based American Forests will
\nintroduce new logging techniques in 600 hectares of forest on two
\nprivate logging concessions in East Kalimantan.<\/p>\n
The Energy Department said damage from logging operations in
\nthe tropics often goes far beyond the actual number of trees
\nharvested, wiping out trees that can absorb carbon emissions
\nwhich are believed to contribute to global warming.<\/p>\n
By pre-cutting vines, felling directionally, and removing
\ntimber on proper skid rails, damage could be cut in half, saving
\ntrees that could absorb about 56,400 metric tons of carbon
\nemissions over 40 years, the department said.<\/p>\n
The project falls under the U.S. Initiative on Joint
\nImplementation, which now has 25 programs in 11 countries
\nencouraging U.S. organizations to use new technologies and
\npractices to reduce greenhouse gases and promote development.<\/p>\n
\"It's just a drop in the bucket,\" said Kurt Zwally, Asian
\ncoordinator for the U.S. Initiative on Joint Implementation,
\nreferring to the project's role in absorbing carbon emissions.<\/p>\n
\"Right now, we're just trying to develop this concept.\"<\/p>\n
In ongoing international climate change talks, the Clinton
\nadministration is promoting the benefits of curbing emissions in
\nother countries as a way for industrialized countries to meet
\ntargets for reducing their own carbon emissions.<\/p>\n
Indonesian partners in the project are the Association of
\nIndonesian Forest Concession Holders and the Kiani Lestari and
\nInhutani II Concessionaries on the island of Kalimantan.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/us-endorses-project-to-help-forests-in-ri-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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