Paper industry says we can’t see the forests for the renewable treesThe Australian paper industry has disputed some of the Worldwatch Institute figures I used in my Jan-Feb column to work out that 6048 trees were killed for one issue (1.6 million copies) of Open Road.
A letter from Tony Wood, representing the Australasian Paper Industry Association, claims only 378 to 756 trees would have been used, based on different figures from the Worldwatch Institute.
But the number of trees killed turns out to be irrelevant in the light of his strong and valid argument that paper production from forests specifically grown for this purpose actually helps the fight against global warming by reducing carbon dioxide emissions.
“It is estimated that there are 25% more trees today in the developed world than in 1901, largely as a result of the pulp and paper industry,” Tony says. “In Australia 48% of fibre source for pulp/paper production comes from recycled paper and paper board.”
Limited space prevents his letter running in this print edition, but you can read it in Torque Back Online.
It is natural for the paper industry to push print products as a green alternative to toxic computers. But computers keep the world humming, and the internet will continue to challenge print as a viable medium.
Since most NRMA Members have internet access, it is now possible for us to publish Open Road every month without printing it on paper. And that’s why Open Road will be back in one month with the first ever edition to be available only online or as a download to your PC.
If you register for the NRMA e-newsletter, we will email you a link to the monthly e-zine as soon as it goes live. Registering will ensure you won’t miss the monthly adventures of journalist Lisa Upton as she travels around Australia in a caravan with her husband and baby. Her warm and funny column, On The Road With Joe (Age 1), starts in this issue.
The monthly e-zine is also the exclusive new home of our price lists for new and used cars, which are no longer published in the print edition. They will now be updated every month, with more makes and models than ever before. You can also get current prices for specific models sent to you via SMS. Details of this new service are on page 47 of the magazine.
Of course, we all still love the bi-monthly print edition, which will continue unchanged. Only renewable trees will be killed.
While Tony Wood has made some valid points on behalf of the paper industry, we should remain sceptical about the “spin” certain industries use to protect their interests.
Our cover story takes a big bat to oil company spin justifying their petrol pricing practices.
The Federal Government’s appointment of a petrol price commissioner, in response to NRMA lobbying, signals the start of a fight-back by ordinary motorists. The battle lines are drawn.
Say goodbye to The Traveller, the NRMA Travel brochure previously distributed with this magazine. It has now been replaced by a bumper touring and travel section. Your next holiday is probably waiting for you somewhere here.
David Naylor Editor-in-chief
