Combat deforestation, buy eco-friendly goods, and save the world!

My daughter playing with her big sister's Green Lullaby dollhouse.

I’m a forest guy. Always have been, always will be. Growing up on eastern Long Island, far away from the ubiquitous strip malls, I was fortunate to live in close proximity to the Pine Barrens. I always preferred family outings to the forest over the beach. It’s where I learned about animals, birds, plants and, of course, bugs. I just loved bugs and have to say that I’m thrilled that this trait has been passed on to my eldest daughter. My real love for the forest came years later when I spent two weeks hiking the Appalachian Trail in the Northeast. Never have I experienced such solace. The quiet was unlike anything I had experienced before. It was also the first time that I truly appreciated breathing. Seriously, I’ve never, ever breathed air so energizing and clean. Thankfully, the Appalachian Trail is protected and not going anywhere. The same thing can’t be said for forests elsewhere in the world.

We know all about forests’ incredible contribution to the Earth’s biodiversity, but a new report now claims that forests also act as giant receptacles for our carbon dioxide waste. Up to one-third of carbon dioxide produced from burning fossil fuels is absorbed by the world’s forests. The forest is one big sponge. Who knew?

Bambu Veneerware® 80 Piece Bamboo Party Pack

However, deforestation can release some of the absorbed carbon dioxide back into the atmosphere. Keeping the forests of the world (both in the tropics and at higher latitudes) robust is a way to combat the greenhouse gases produced by modern industry.

Because forests are even more important that we first thought, Abe’s Market is proud to support sellers who go the extra mile to save the Earth’s forests:

Kroom Wastebasket Bin

• TreeSmart uses recycled newspaper to create high-quality pencils, rather than using fresh wood. Newspapers are also a component of their rulers and colored pencils.

• Choosing bamboo, a fast-growing and sustainable building material, instead of wood or paper for products ranging from kitchen products (Hala) to picnic ware (Bambu) to toilet paper (Bumboosa), leaves slow-growing forests alone.

• Some companies are working actively to offset their carbon impact - Tiny Footprint Coffee plants trees in Ecuador for every pound of beans purchased.

• Recycled paper or cardboard are at the heart of storage solutions from Krooom, toys from Green Lullaby or stationery from Bloomin’ or Mr. Ellie Poo.

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