Dogwood Alliance launched the SOS Campaign to Save Our Southern Forests at Jonas Gerard Gallery in Asheville. Abstract art and forest preservation may seem an unlikely pairing, but with passion and purpose as common denominators, the two make perfect sense.
Environmental groups delivered a petition signed by over 110,000 people to new Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, Amber Rudd. The petition calls for an end to government support for Drax’s new White Rose ‘carbon capture’ power station.
Soaring demand for woody fuel has led to the construction of more than two dozen pellet factories in the Southeast and special port. European officials promote the trade as part of the fight against climate change. But that claim is increasingly coming under challenge.
Recent science shows that many forms of biomass — especially from forests — produce higher carbon emissions compared to fossil fuels. In particular, a growing body of peer-reviewed, scientific studies shows that burning wood from whole trees in power plants to produce electricity can increase carbon emissions relative to fossil fuels for many decades — anywhere from 35 to 100 years.
I’ve greatly enjoyed working with others who are passionate about the environment. Thinking back on my experience at Dogwood, I can’t be anything but positive. Working with Emily, I’ve helped organize student group connections, volunteer night events and Earth Day events on campuses across the southeast, including on my campus at Brevard College.
