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Bamboo & Sustainability

Bamboo is an incredible plant that is found globally, very strong, and grows insanely fast in comparison to other types of wood. The lack of pesticides, environmental benefits, durability and speed of growth contribute to bamboo being one of the most sustainable materials on the planet. Here’s how bamboo could potentially impact the world:

Saving the Forests

Did you know that forests make up 31% of all Earth’s land? Every year, 22 million acres of forested land is lost. 1.6 billion people’s livelihoods depend on forests, and forests are home to 80% of terrestrial biodiversity. When it comes to living more environmentally friendly, we need to consider the ways in which we can reduce the amount of resource we steal from forests.

One clear solution for this major problem is bamboo plants. Trees used for timber take 30 to 50 years to regenerate to their full mass; whereas one bamboo plant can be harvested every 3 to 7 years. Deforestation is one of the most destructive and harsh impacts felt by the environment. If we were to rely on a much more regenerative plant for human demands (furniture, construction, manufacturing, paper), such as bamboo, the impacts would be much less significant on the environment.

Global Warming

Research suggests that if bamboo were planted on scale it could completely reverse the effects of global warming in less than a decade, while providing a renewable source of food, building material, and erosion prevention.

Limit Habitat Destruction

Habitat destruction and habit loss is ranked as the single greatest threat facing animals, and is the largest cause of species extinction. The driving cause behind habitat destruction is the intense harvesting of timber, deforestation, slash and burn practices, and urban development. If we were to rely on alternative products made with sustainable materials, habitat loss should be significantly reduced.

Preventing Erosion

Bamboo’s thick rhizome root works to maintain soil integrity. Bamboo plants actually prevent landslides and keeps nutrients in soil and plants from getting dumped into rivers and lakes where they may harm other ecosystems. Running bamboos spread out forming a dense, undergrown network of rhizomes and roots making a very effective barrier to erosion. Planted along streams or gullies, bamboo stabilises land and prevents damaging erosion.

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