Conserving Global Forests

How can the world conserve its forests? Forests, cover 1/3 of global land and play critical roles in addressing climate change, supporting biodiversity and supplying wood. This class will explore the science and policy of conserving the world's forests. Starting with an exploration of forest ecology and effects on climate, the class will then explore forces that drive forest loss or degradation including growing food and wood demand, roadbuilding, concessions, and shifting development patterns. It will address the question of whether the world should use more or less wood, and carefully evaluate various public and private policies.