There is a trend in woodworking toward using green wood. No, I am not talking about lumber that has not yet been cured or dried, but of wood harvested in an environmentally sustainable manner. I have always thought of myself as a “good steward” of the environment: I recycle and dispose of my nasty chemicals in a responsible way (I don’t use fertilizer on my yard … just ask my neighbors), so I have to say I am in favor of this trend. But a couple of my woodworking buddies have challenged my attitude, telling me that my consumption of lumber would have no more effect on the big picture than a sneeze would in a hurricane. My response was “Ya, but there are millions of woodworkers – what effect would a million sneezes have?” The point was awkwardly made, but when you think of the way you sneeze with a nose full of sawdust, I think it is a strong argument.
Regardless of my poor debating ability, what is your opinion on the subject? Do you take the time to consider the environment when you are shopping for wood? Do you think it makes a difference? Let me know, and we will share some of your opinions in our Reader’s Response section.
But for now I gotta go; I feel a sneeze coming on.
–Rob Johnstone, Woodworker’s Journal
