Wood used as energy is renewable. When harvested sustainably it need not result in major scars to the landscape and will leave behind a forest to filter water, sequester carbon and produce oxygen, as well as support wildlife and humankind.

Rural Ontarians have a long history of using fuelwood for home heating and could be considered one of the early leaders in the movement towards reducing our reliance on fossil fuels by using a renewable green energy source.

The harvest of fuelwood is an essential management tool used by forest managers to help maintain and enhance our forested landscape. The sale of fuelwood is an important economic driver within our rural communities and is a cost effective heating source used by tens of thousands of rural landowners.

With well thought-out strategic planning, the use of fuelwood for home heating can continue to play a key role in the green energy strategy for the 21st century and assist our need to reduce fossil fuel dependency.

Fuelwood, the Environment and the 21st Century

The Ontario Woodlot Association (OWA) has prepared a discussion paper titled Fuelwood, the Environment and the 21st Century that provides federal, provincial and municipal leaders and the general public with some key information linking sustainable forestry practices, use of advanced wood burning technology and the implementation of good wood burning practices to cleaner air. Included in the discussion paper are six key recommendations that the OWA is advocating that we believe would result in cleaner air, reduce our carbon footprint, assist in maintaining healthy forests and work towards building a stronger green economy.

For more information, a copy of the discussion paper Fuelwood, the Environment and the 21st Century is available here. (1 MB) To view this document you will need Acrobat Reader.