Where the future grows.
The forest, its trees and wood are all amazing. Every tree is a part of nature’s cycle, where the growing tree captures carbon dioxide and releases oxygen at the same time. Products made of wood and other materials derived from the forest will then continue to store CO2 until they’re used for energy or decompose naturally. The CO2 then finds its way back to the atmosphere for new trees to absorb. In Sweden, where at least two new trees are planted for each one used, the forest is continuously expanding.
It’s no news that wood is used for beautiful furniture, flooring, packaging, cardboard, and paper. But did you know that skyscrapers, clothes, soft soap, and make-up could also be made from Swedish forests? Not to mention all the new innovations being developed, such as transparent wood, batteries, bulletproof vests... plenty of climate-smart solutions indeed.
How many smart forest-made items can you spot in our new film? It’s at least 25! Sunglasses, a door, packaging, a pair of sneakers, furniture, smart clothes made of viscose and Tencel…to name a few. How many forest-made items do you have in your home?
Probably you possess more objects from the forest than you’re aware of, and as the demand for alternatives to plastic and metal grows, more are constantly added to the market. To 70%, the land area of Sweden is all about the forest. As long as it is maintained in the right way, there’s no end to the renewal power of the woods.
You probably own more items that come from the forest than you’re aware of, and as the demand for alternatives to plastic and metal increases, more products are added to the list. Today, 70 % of Sweden is actually covered in forest and as long as its properly cared for there’s no stopping its continuous growth and renewal power.
Every minute, around the clock, seven days a week and 365 days a year, the forest works for the climate. The forest cannot save our climate on its own, but is part of the solution. The Swedish forest binds at least 50 million tonnes of carbon dioxide each year as it grows, and once a tree is fully grown it can be manufactured into houses, packaging, materials and other climate smart things. At the same time, new trees are constantly being planted so that the forest's renewable power never runs out as long as we care for it in the right way.
The forests of Sweden capture approximately 50 million metric tons of carbon dioxide every year. 43 million of that carbon dioxide is captured by growing trees, and 7 million is stored in long-lasting wood products.
(The figures are based on data from 2017 from Skogforsk, The Scientific Institute of Swedish Forestry).
Every minute, around the clock, seven days a week and 365 days a year, the forest works for the climate. The forest cannot save our climate on its own, but if used in the right way it will be part of the solution.
How many smart things made from the forest can you see in our new film? Well, you’ll get a glimpse of at least 25 of them. Sunglasses, a door, packaging, sneakers, furniture, smart clothes made of forest material like viscose and Tencel. What’s your level at home?
Probably you possess more objects from the forest than you’re aware of, and as the demand for alternatives to plastic and metal grows, more are constantly added to the market. To 70%, the land area of Sweden is all about the forest. As long as it is maintained in the right way, there’s no end to the renewal power of the woods.
Bottles made from wood may be an alternative to glass and plastic in the future. Researchers are working to develop and test this idea so it can become a reality.
Today no less than 173 kilos of food per individual in the EU is being thrown away every year. The fact is that a third of all the food produced in the world is not being consumed. The forest product packaging of the future will itself be able to tell you the condition of the food it contains. It will be active, intelligent and digital, and thus help reduce food waste at the same time that it makes everyday life easier.
We’ve been making clothes from forest fibres for many years now, but new manufacturing methods mean you’ll find clothes produced from the forest in a growing number of shops. They’re recyclable and soft as moss.
By breaking down wood into small components it is possible to create new materials. It is even possible to produce chemicals that can be used in the pharmaceuticals industry, for example. We can also extract tall oil from the forest for use as fuel in cars and other vehicles.
Using the forest to make cosmetics might sound odd, but many creams and cosmetics already contain moisturising substances that come from the forest.
The materials offered by the forest range from soft and light, to hard and tough. Wood in the form of nanofibres is as strong as Kevlar – five times stronger than steel and can be used in car bodies, bicycle helmets, yacht sails and even bulletproof vests.
There are many plastic-like biomaterials in our shops and homes, including those made of sugar cane and corn. In the future, plastic from the forest will also be available. You should simply be able to use a biodegradable paper bag for water without breaking it.
Batteries are fantastic, but many of today's batteries have the problem that they contain environmentally hazardous substances. Swedish researchers are currently looking at how the forest can solve this problem and. They look extensively at Lignin, a substance that can store electricity. Lignin makes up about a quarter of a tree.
Innovation that’s branching out. Despite its age, the forest is used to make some of the most modern items. Researchers are working on a number of exciting projects. Some are for the future, while others are already a reality. The forest cannot save our climate on its own, but if used in the right way it will be part of the solution.
Have a look around your home – how many items come from the forest? More than expected? Good. Since the forest and its wood bid CO2, it’s a climate-smart material.
It is a new decade, but the Swedish forest, which covers 70% of Sweden's area, is working with the same force as before. The forest binds at least 50 million tonnes of carbon dioxide each year as it grows, it is used and is replanted.
The forest alone cannot save the climate, but is part of the solution. The Swedish forest binds at least 50 million tonnes of carbon dioxide each year as it grows.
Green is great, especially for the climate! Every year, at least 380 million trees are planted in Sweden, and 70 percent of the land surface is covered in growing forest.
Hard, soft, big, small or transparent? Climate-smart materials are some of the forest's many innovations. The forest alone cannot solve all climate challenges, but the forest as a material is in many areas an alternative to oil and plastic.
The forest does not only give us a beautiful nature, it also makes our society greener. The forest can’t solve the climate challenges on its own, but innovations from the forest are in many areas an alternative to oil and plastic.
During the summer of 2018, all the little green heroes in the forest are noted - more than 240 million peaceful plants are planted in Sweden every year, all contribute to the climate.
As the forest grows, it absorbs carbon dioxide which improves the climate. Once it’s reached maturity it can be used to make low-carbon, recyclable products. The season's campaign continues to tell about the unique role the forest has for the climate.
Where the future grows.
To spread knowledge about the Swedish forest and to show what you and I can do with it, the short film "Swedish Forest – Where the future grows" was released in October 2017.
We’ve put together several links here for anyone wishing to delve deeper into the Swedish forest.
Svenska Skogen is an initiative that aims to give a voice to the forest in Sweden today. Because while fewer people are now directly involved with the forest in their everyday lives, it is becoming increasingly important in creating a sustainable society. We want to highlight the advantages and significance of the forest for Sweden and its people. The forest is actually part of many of the solutions for a lower-carbon world.
The Svenska Skogen initiative is supported by a number of organisations: LRF Skogsägarna, Skogsindustrierna, Bergvik Skog and Sveaskog, along with many other forest companies and forest owners who are actively involved in forests and forest products in their day-to-day business.
If you have any questions about the Svenska Skogen initiative, you can contact asa.bihl@skogskom.se or cecilia.boman@skogskom.se
