Upper Florentine carbon figures released on the eve of Copenhagen climate talks

The Wilderness Society (Tasmania) Inc
Media Release
6 December 2009

The Wilderness Society today celebrated International Volunteer Day (Saturday 5 December) by taking a volunteer team back to the forests and releasing the carbon accounting data they collected in the Upper Florentine over the last five months.

The release coincided with the eve of the opening of the Copenhagen climate talks, where global leaders will be urged to protect the world’s forests as an absolute necessity in the fight against climate change.

“Volunteers have been using science-based methodology to peg out plots in the forest and measure the trees to calculate the amount of carbon stored in these ancient forests,” said Vica Bayley, spokesperson for the Wilderness Society.

“The results indicate that the most carbon-dense forest plot measured holds a massive 1188 tonnes of carbon per hectare, not including the carbon stored in tree roots and soil.”

In summary, volunteers found that in the standing forest:

•    The 6 plots surveyed held an average of 779 tonnes of carbon per hectare

•    The most carbon dense plot contained 1188 tonnes of carbon per hectare

•    The largest tree measured contains an estimated 77 tonnes of carbon

Calculations indicate that the amount of carbon that was safely stored in a 30 hectare area of forest before it was logged would be the equivalent to the emissions from about 1,900,000 return journeys from Hobart to the Upper Florentine in an average car (212 km).

“We all need to support renewable energy, energy efficiency, drive less and reduce our carbon footprint in every way we can. But as a state, protecting our forests is the single biggest contribution Tasmania can make to the global fight against climate change,” continued Mr Bayley.

“This data supports previous science indicating that Tasmania has some of the most carbon-dense forests in the world, storing more carbon per hectare than tropical forests in Indonesia and the Amazon.”

“For our kids and grandkids to have any chance of managing climate change, our leaders must protect the carbon safely stored in the world’s forests now. Our forests are simply worth more standing up,” concluded Mr Bayley.

Tasmanian families have the chance to visit the Upper Florentine forests at the upcoming Walk Against Warming on Saturday 12th December at 12 noon.  Public access is authorised and there will be kids' activities, forest tours, a carbon classroom and speakers including Peter Cundall. Buses, carpooling and a team bike ride are being organised to encourage sustainable transport.  Click here for more information.