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Sustainable wood comes from sustainably managed forests. It is renewable and forest managers control the landscape to avoid harm to habitats, watersheds, animals, and trees themselves, having a long-term rather than a short-term view of the resource. Sustainability in this sense means that the forest should be there for your children and grandchildren, and be able to trap carbon dioxide and keep our air clean for decades to come, as well as providing a sanctuary for biodiversity.

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Wood obtained through unethical sources, on the other hand, is cut down without a second thought leaving bare areas that, unless properly handled, never really return to their former glory. The implications are obvious—illicit deforestation does lead to wholesale devastation.

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Deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon does not seem very important. As it is going to happen thousands of miles away from your home. You may not be aware of the damage that the purchasing of new Mahogany flooring or Teak garden furniture can have. Yet purchasing unethically-sourced wood has a profound impact on deforested regions, including human rights violations, hunting vulnerable animals, threatening lifestyles and even the lives of indigenous populations, and leaving numerous unique and endangered creatures homeless.

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Did you know that just 8 percent of the world’s forest area is properly protected from illegal cutting and deforestation? The forest industry is insatiable, as is our appetite for wood. Unsustainable harvesting of wood is increasing at an alarming rate despite the best intentions and efforts of conservationists, governments, and politicians. Unfortunately, money always talks louder than common sense. People think that the present is more important as compared to the future. For example, in Malaysia, timber production requires more trees than is currently available in the country. There are no trees left in some places, and timber is being imported from Indonesia to satisfy the demand.

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Always make sure to check for official certification of the renewable source of wood. You should not listen to false claims, including “it is from the European Union.” Questions have been asked regarding timber from some EU sites, for example, illicit logging has long been suspected in Russian and Siberian forests.

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The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is an autonomous, non-profit body that encourages responsible forest conservation around the world. Their certification scheme offers globally accepted standards-setting and trademark guarantee to everyone, whether company or person, interested in promoting sustainable forestry.