Forests, Wood, and Global Issues

 History and Sociology of Wood

            A History of the Uses of Wood, from the Paleolithic Era to the Present Day

            Myths About Trees and Wood: A Story-Led Tour of the Jardin des Plantes

            Wood and Forests: Perceptions and Uses

Carbon and Climate Change

            Greenhouse Effect and Climate Change

            Carbon Footprint of the Forest and Wood Products

The Economics and Geopolitics of the Timber Industry           

            Carbon Economy

            The Global Timber Industry - Geopolitics and Sustainability of Wood Use - Global Flows

            Stakeholders in the traditional and technical wood industry, in France and around the world

            Geopolitics of production, conflicts over land use. The value of forests versus other uses (mining, agriculture, urban development, etc.)

Forest Ecosystem Services

            Biodiversity, air/water filtration, hydraulic regulator

            Visitor Services, Pick-Your-Own Produce, Hunting,

            Landscape, opening/closing of habitats

The EU program “Forests, Wood, and Global Issues” aims to understand the historical, economic, geopolitical, societal, and environmental context surrounding forests and wood at both the global and local levels.

Describe environmental concepts (climate change, carbon sinks, carbon emissions)

To understand how forests and their uses have been perceived across time and across different cultures and economies

Describe the interactions between issues in the forestry and wood industry and global environmental issues

Describe the ecosystem services provided by the forest

Describe the global and local wood industry and assess the economic and geopolitical challenges

Acquire theoretical and practical knowledge for conducting field surveys—the ability to write an "interview guide" for the fieldwork week