by Shane Henson — October 17, 2011—Building owners and architects desiring to use wood for the construction of properties, but who are wary that they should use a more sustainable material, can rest easy, according to a new study released by the U.S. Forest Service.
The study, Science Supporting the Economic and Environmental Benefits of Using Wood and Wood Products in Green Building Construction indicates that wood should factor as a primary building material in green buildings. For the study, the authors reviewed the scientific literature and found that using wood in building products actually yields fewer greenhouse gases than using other common materials.
“This study confirms what many environmental scientists have been saying for years,” Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said in the news release. “Wood should be a major component of American building and energy design. The use of wood provides substantial environmental benefits, provides incentives for private landowners to maintain forest land, and provides a critical source of jobs in rural America.”
The Forest Service report also points out that greater use of life cycle analysis in building codes and standards would improve the scientific underpinning of building codes and standards and thereby benefit the environment. A combination of scientific advancement in the areas of life cycle analysis and the development of new technologies for improved and extended wood utilization are needed to continue to advance wood as a green construction material. Sustainability of forest products can be verified using any credible third-party rating system, such as the Forest Stewardship Council, American Tree Farm System certification, and the Sustainable Forestry Initiative, adds the organization.
