Economic impacts of individual climate change mitigation options in the US forest sector

Abstract

Economic and carbon (C) impacts of three greenhouse gas mitigation options in the US forest sector are presented and compared to a baseline. Options analyzed include two levels of large-scale tree planting on marginal crop and pasture land, and increasing the use of recycled paper in the paper making process. The secenarios differ in the timing and magnitude of their economic impacts, and in their effects on C storage. All three options increase forest area and/or inventories, and have significant benefits toward increasing the sequestration of C. The economic condition of forest product consumers and producers are little affected by the options. However, decreases in timber prices caused by the increases in wood supplies have severe negative impacts on forest landowners. Actions which could moderate the adverse economic impacts of these C conservation and sequestration scenarios are discussed. -Authors