within old growth forests that are increasingly threatened by climate change, with exceptions that include cutting trees to make forestsThe analysis — expected to be published Friday — shows that officials intend to reject a blanket prohibition on old growth logging that's long been sought by some environmentalists. Officials concluded that such a sweeping ban would make it harder to thin forests to better protect communities against wildfires that have grown more severe as the planet warms.
The proposed changes mark a shift within an agency that historically promoted logging. They're expected to be finalized before President Joe Biden's first term ends in January and come after the Democrat issued athat directed the U.S. Department of Agriculture to identify old growth forests across the nation and devise ways to conserve them.Old-growth forests, such as the storied giant sequoia stands of northern California, have layer upon layer of undisturbed trees and vegetation.
The new analysis follows a separate report on threats to old growth forests that was finalized last week. It concluded wildfire, insects and disease have been the main killers of old growth trees since 2000, accounting for almost 1,400 square miles losses . "But it must go further to protect and restore resilient old-growth forests in a way that meets the challenges of the changing climate,” he added.
Alberta had the fastest rate of population growth in Canada over the first three months of the year, according to new data released Wednesday, and continues to be the most popular destination for people moving within the country.Statistics Canada estimates Alberta's population reached 4,849,906 as of April 1, up from 4,800,768 on Jan. 1.That marks a 1.02-per-cent increase in the span of just three months, which was the largest of any province or territory.