Plantation Pine
Plantation pine is better for the environment than any other building material.
“Why?”. Read on...
Carbon Absorbtion
Forests and plantations filter the air and soak up carbon dioxide. In 2004 they removed 89.2 million tonnes of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Carbon absorption continues until a forest reaches maturity, when the carbon remains locked in.
One tonne of carbon represents 3.67 tonnes of carbon dioxide.
Forests & Plantations - Carbon Sinks
Forests and plantations in Australia store an estimated 10.5 billion tonnes of carbon and have removed 38.5 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, about 70 times our annual net greenhouse gas emissions.
Australian forests and plantations removed a net 43.7 million tonnes of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere in 2004 alone.
Greenhouse Gas Emissions
 Trees absorb greenhouse gases during growth.
The use of timber products results in lower greenhouse gas emissions than most alternatives.
Life Cycle Analysis
 The environmental qualities of timber include sustainability, low embodied energy, carbon absorption and high thermal efficiency.
Low Production Energy
 Timber products equire low energy inputs to produce than lternative building materials.
Recycleable
Many timber-based products can be recycled or re-used.
Renewable Building Material
Timber is the only renewable building material and is harvested from sustainably managed forests and plantations in Australia.
Renewable Energy Source
Firewood and residues from processing timber products are estimated to contribute around 2.5% of Australia’s energy use. When timber is used to generate energy, it can replace fossil fuels such as coal, oil and natural gas.
Net carbon dioxide emissions from the generation of electricity using timber residues are typically only 5%-10% those from fossil-fuel-based electricity generation.
Steel
Steel production for an average 4 bedroom house releases about 7 times more carbon dioxide compared with pine framing.
Thermal Efficiency
Lightweight timber framing allows for good thermal design which results in buildings that are cool in summer and warm in winter.
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