What is SFM?

Well, we all know what sustainability is. And we know that forests are one of Canada's most important resources. But the use of forests generally means cutting them down because wood is a commodity, thus proving the old adage wrong that money doesn't grow on trees. In fact, growing trees equals more money.
But trees don't exactly grow fast. And forests have social and economic values besides harvesting wood. And despite the fact that trees are renewable, they can be overharvested. So shouldn't we be careful with how much we cut down? Shouldn't we take steps to ensure that trees are replaced as quickly as possible?

Sustainable Forestry Management, or SFM, is the principle behind just that. Is Canada practicing SFM? According to a recent report (19 July 2005), perhaps not.

This report is written on the topic of SFM in Canada and is an extremely informative article that compares the perspective of SFM from the government and from non-governmental organizations (NGOs).

Read through the report, and summarize briefly whether you think Canada is already on track, or whether we need to get in the game.

Mmmmm... genetically modified... /drool

As with many of the topics dealt with in the environmental sciences, people feel very strongly about the topic. Food is definitely at the top of the list (or bottom, if you're Abraham Maslow), and when people start monkeying around with what we eat, well, emotions tend to run a little high.

Combine a natural sense of precaution with a healthy dose of politics, and you have something of a sense of what's going on in Europe. Currently in Europe, if any food contains genetically modified food, it legally must be labelled to let the consumer know (sort of). Its not just a fear of something bad in the food, either. The idea that agriculture is slowly being taken over by faceless corporations is also a fear that has gripped many advocacy groups that are firmly against genetically modified foods, and any advantages they might offer. And now the debate is making its way into Canada slowly but surely.

Books are being written on the subject. Blogs are created solely to bring you the latest news on GMOs. And in Canada, the debate has even hit the courts where Monsanto Canada, Inc. has sued a farmer for collecting and using round-up ready canola seeds.

So what do YOU think? Should we be labelling our food here in Canada to let us, the consumers, know whether our food contains any 'frankenfoods'? State your opinion, and reference your blog with links to a minimum of 4 sites to support your opinion. Discuss at least one specific genetically modified food in your argument.