Forests & Climate

Forests store more carbon per acre than any other terrestrial ecosystem on the planet; they need to be the nation’s first line of climate change defense.

Forest Carbon Reserve

The creation of a Forest Carbon Reserve would be an essential part of any future Green New Deal. It would result in a substantial reduction in, and avoidance of, carbon emissions from forest degradation and fossil fuel production, would be integral to a broader green jobs program.

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Pledge to Support & Elect Climate Champions in 2026!

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Industrial forestry is a set of techniques aimed at producing as much commercially valuable timber per acre as quickly as possible.

The Climate Impacts of Industrial Forest

Most of North America’s largest timber companies are wedded to a model of intensive, industrial forestry that is far from climate friendly. We need to reward long-rotation, lower-impact logging if we are serious about tackling climate change.

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Reports & Resources

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Has Big Timber Finally Brought USGBC To Heel?

Don’t Buy the “New” SFI

Sustainable Forestry Initiative Certification

Articles

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The US Forest Service Moves to Cancel Its “Best Idea”: the Roadless Rule

Watching Logs Decay Is More Interesting Than You’d Think

Why Is the Federal Government Dumping Toxic Chemicals Onto Public Lands?

Press Releases

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September 8, 2026

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Sierra Club is raising serious concerns following reports that a Labor Day weekend family camping trip ended with five men taken away by immigration agents as their loved ones and young children watched.

August 18, 2026

Salt Lake City – Today, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced its latest step to eliminate protections under the Roadless Area Conservation Rule, claiming the move is necessary to reduce wildfire risk and expand forest management. Since…

August 18, 2026

Today, the Trump administration announced it is repealing the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule. This measure conserves more than 58 million acres of National Forest lands by preventing road building, hardrock mining, oil and gas and industrial…

August 18, 2026

Helena, MT - Today, the Trump administration announced it is repealing the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule. This measure conserved more than 58 million acres of National Forest lands by preventing road building, hardrock mining, oil and gas and…

August 4, 2026

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Sierra Club and its North Carolina Chapter condemn a recent ICE operation at Wilson Creek Recreation Area in Pisgah National Forest that resulted in 13 arrests.