The Outlook
September 2005

Welcome  

With the days getting shorter and school back in session, we decided to really hit the books this month.  As a result, we offer a lengthly list of weighty debates for your consideration.

In this newsletter, we:
- propose that all building materials be subjected to rigorous environmental evaluations including LCA and certification,
- evaluate how the certification standards address the Forest Service's 4 Threats,
- give you the lowdown on the best approach to planning, and

As always, we hope you find something in here of use and interest and welcome your feedback.

- Jeff

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I n  T h i s  I s s u e:

Dovetail Commentary: What A Caveman Would Tell Today's Wood Industry
Are Life Cycle-Based Labeling and a Broadening of Environmental Certification Programs Needed?

How Do the FSC & SFI Standards Address the Forest Service's Four Threats?

Creating Great Plans : Planning Processes that Work!

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D o v e t a i l   C o m m e n t a r y

What A Caveman Would Tell Today's Wood Industry

Running the Numbers on Value-Added

One of the greatest threats to the environment, and one of the most contentious areas of discussion, is the continued commoditization of our natural resources.   This is true in farming, where corn, corn and corn are the primary products and it is true in forestry where the continued search for “jump-back” trees dominates large segments of the industry. (Note: a jump-back tree is one where you plant the seed and “jump back” out of the way because it grows so quickly).   At its heart, the positive goal of commoditization is to provide economic access to products to the widest audience possible.   At its depth, the negative aspect of commoditization is that the ideal input scenario is for zero labor dollars and zero material costs.   So for farms and forests, the theoretical ideal value of food and fiber is zero.   The commoditization model doesn't leave much room for profits, or the environment.

To read more, click here

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D o v e t a i l   R e p o r t s


Are Life Cycle-Based Labeling and a Broadening of Environmental Certification Programs Needed?
Dr. Jim Bowyer

There are vast differences in the environmental impacts associated with producing various building materials.   Such impacts are virtually unknown to the consuming public.

In fact, most of the same concerns that led to development of certification programs for forests and forest management – those related to environmental protection, social issues, and long-term economic stability – also apply to extraction and processing of other basic raw materials.    For instance, Brazil is a leading supplier of iron ore and pig iron to the U.S.   Yet, persistent reports indicate pervasive use of slave labor in Brazil to clear forests to make charcoal used in pig iron smelters.   In Ecuador, severe environmental damage and human suffering has been documented in conjunction with petroleum extraction and subsequent shipment to the U.S., a portion of which goes to make vinyl and other forms of plastic used in construction.

With respect to building materials it is clearly time to expand current requirements for certification of wood products in green building programs to include all products used in framing, decking, sheathing, and cladding.   It is also time to give serious consideration to LCA-based product labeling of all construction materials.

To read the introduction or download the report, click here.

How Do the FSC & SFI Standards Address the Forest Service's Four Threats?
Kathryn Fernholz

When forest certification programs were first developing their standards, some of the leading forestry issues and concerns included chemical use, genetically modified organisms, endangered species, and clear cutting.    In recognition of these issues, each program made a concerted effort to ensure their standard offered guidance on addressing these concerns.   Many of these issues continue to be important, but over the years, new issues have also arisen. In 2003, the USDA Forest Service identified the “Four threats to the health of the nation's forests and grasslands .”  The Four Threats identified by the USDA Forest Services are: Fire and Fuels, Invasive Species, Loss of Open Space, and Unmanaged Recreation.

So, how well do the certification standards address the leading forestry issues land managers currently face in the United States?  This Dovetail Report reviews the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Regional Standard for the Lake States-Central Hardwoods, and the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) 2005-2009 Standard in relation to these forest management priorities identified by the Forest Service for the forestlands of the United States.

To read the introduction or download the report, click here.

Creating Great Plans: Planning Processes that Work!
Dr. Jeff Howe

Planning is THE most critical activity an organization undertakes.   For over twenty years research has demonstrated that the key characteristic that distinguishes “excellent” or truly successful companies from the herd is the existence of a formal written plan.   Many companies have great ideas.   Those that write them down and figure out how to implement them usually win out in the end.

Yet, research also shows that it is really not the planning document that is important, but rather the planning process.   Our goal in this article is to focus on what makes the planning process, and thus ultimately the plans, great.

To read the introduction or download the report, click here.