MEDIA RELEASE 30 November 2011

Environment Tasmania, the state’s peak environment body, welcomed the Government hosted forest carbon forum today on the climate and economic benefits that would be delivered by protecting Tasmania’s native forests.

“We all know that Tasmania’s native forests clean our air, safeguard our water and are home to our unique animals and plants” said Dr Phill Pullinger, Director of Environment Tasmania.

“Research now tells us that these forests store more carbon than any other forests on earth[1] and that protecting forests is the quickest and cheapest way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.”

“This means that protecting Tasmania’s dense carbon forests, will not only have conservation benefits but will also benefit the economy.”

“This important forum will provide information on how we can protect these carbon dense forests through the Inter-Governmental Agreement and be funded to manage new forest reserves in perpetuity.”

“Protecting Tasmania’s unique and important forests is a key pillar of the Tasmanian Forests Intergovernmental Agreement. It can be a great outcome that helps the climate, supports Tasmania’s economy and the clean and green image we need for all of our future” concluded Dr Pullinger.