Carbon Sequestration and Timber Construction

Carbon sequestration is the process of trees, and other flora, absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere through the process of photosynthesis. This absorbed carbon dioxide is stored in the tree, until it is released, such as being burnt as firewood. The process of carbon sequestration is especially high during the early years of trees, when their rate of growth is the highest. When trees are chopped down and used as timber, the carbon dioxide remains stored in the wood. What this means is that one of the best ways to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere is by growing young forests. 

While preserving old forests is vital for the stability of complex ecosystems, dedicated tree plantations which grow young trees for timber are greatly beneficial to removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, while providing a renewable source of timber in the process. 

This is improved by the relatively low embodied energy of timber compared to other construction materials such as concrete or steel. While some processing is needed for timber, it requires much less energy to produce than non-timber alternatives. One study titled "Carbon, Fossil Fuel, and Biodiversity Mitigation With Wood and Forests" by Chadwick Dearing Oliver, Nedal T. Nassar, Bruce R. Lippke & James B. McCarter suggested that switching all structural materials to timber could reduce total global emissions by 14 to 31%. Even a moderate switch to structural timber would still have a significant reduction to global emissions. 

Of course, this process still must be treated with care. Forestry requires careful management to ensure that the rate of deforestation is equal to the growth of new trees. Similarly, replacing existing forests with tree plantations poses significant threats due to the destruction of complex ecosystems. 

In conclusion, carbon sequestration and timber construction provide a strong alternative to conventional structural materials, and represent a step in the right direction for lessening the environmental impact of the built environment.