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Constructing and operating buildings have an immense environmental impact. Globally, buildings are responsible for 20 per cent of all water consumption, 25 to 40 per cent of all energy use, 30 to 40 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions and 30 to 40 per cent of solid waste generation.
There are tremendous opportunities to reduce this impact through building design and construction-and wood is a natural part of the solution.
Wood has been part of our culture throughout time, and for good reason. It is plentiful in North America, it adds beauty and warmth to our lives, we know how to work with it-and it is the only major building material that is truly renewable.
We are learning that the shift from wood to newer building materials has resulted in structures that may have a much heavier environmental footprint.
As concern about climate change grows, more building and design professionals are solving a new problem with an old favourite. When wood replaces other materials, greenhouse gas emissions and other impacts are typically reduced.
Wood is an ingenious invention of nature. It is beautiful, light and strong to build with, and warm and welcoming to live with.
In Canada, we appreciate and value our vast forests, and manage them sustainably. Canadian wood products offer outstanding versatility and value both as a building material and as an environmental choice.
Canadian Wood. Renewable by Nature. Sustainable by Design.