UN International Year of Forests 2011 raises awareness of renewable timber alternative – Bamboo
We make choices every day from purchasing a new set of wooden cooking utensils to printing that 5 page document you didn’t really need and while we make these seemingly simple choices we sometimes forget the high impact these decisions can have on our planet. Indeed, it’s now time to look at the bigger picture, not only to better manage our rapidly depleting timber resources but to invest in natural and renewable timber alternatives.
This year was declared the International Year of Forests 2011 by the United Nations to raise awareness of responsible management, conservation and sustainable development of all types of forests. This has seen governments, international and regional organisations as well as civil society organisations form national groups and elect environmental focal points within their country to aid organisation of activities in support of the International Year of Forests 2011.
According to the UN, around 130,000km² of the world´s forests are lost due to deforestation each year, a devastating reality for the estimated 1.6 billion people that depend on forests for their livelihoods. Some 300 million people live within them while forests also provide habitats for about two-thirds of all species on earth. Deforestation of rainforests is predicted to account for a biodiversity loss of as many as 100 species per day according to The World Bank.
With this in mind, the sustainable management of forests is becoming ever more pressing with countries across the world now pledged to do all they can to improve the situation in light of the UN initiative. For instance, the Government of the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea has established a plan for reforestation and plantation of its entire land by 2012 while other countries have been organising events throughout the year as a way of promoting their particular objectives. England for example will be holding a ‘Forest Discovery Day’ on September 11th across the nation where people will be given the chance to meet rangers and learn about sustainable forestry followed by a mass tree hug while Australian schools held a tree planting day earlier this month and the USA enjoyed a national Get Outdoors Day Big Tree Challenge back in June.
Although the International Year of Forests 2011 will play a major role in improving environmental awareness, with the global market for timber so vast having doubled in the last six years it is paramount that alternative timber supplies be utilised as well.
In the sustainable resources sector, bamboo is fast becoming the best alternative to addressing global, social and environmental concerns over traditional timber with the bamboo market currently at $5bn a year, growing to a predicted $20bn by 2015. Utilising bamboo in everyday applications makes perfect sense with its quick growth, excellent strength and durability, environmental benefits and around 3,500 commercial uses including food, construction material, flooring, furniture, charcoal, paper, medicines and textiles to name a few.
Ray Withers, Director of Property Frontiers which markets the world’s first asset backed bamboo bond explains,
“With global warming on the horizon becoming one of the most important issues our generation will be faced with, bamboo plantations present a far better alternative, as people shun traditionally felled wood products in favour of the environmentally friendly choice.”
It is forecasted by Yale University that one hectare will produce over 109 km of bamboo pole in 15 years; consequently leaders in the alternative investment market, Property Frontiers believe that investing in bamboo will suit environmentally conscious investors looking to have a positive social and environmental impact as well as benefit from a high return rate. As the most exciting of any timber investment, Property Frontiers are offering a world first – The Bamboo bond, giving a secure and rewarding SIPP eligible bamboo investment in Central America with fixed annual returns starting in year 1.
With a minimum investment of $16,500 investors buy a 15 year asset backed bond. This bond entitles them to fixed payments over the 15 year period that reaches a maximum of 55% per year! At the end the principal investment is repaid meaning that the highest returning bond priced at $50,000 returns over 500% during the term. This return is fixed and secured against assets of the US Bamboo plantation company to protect investors in the unlikely event of a default.
This green investment in Central America is a perfect investment opportunity with a variety of significant advantages, helping investors build their ‘green’ credentials and make substantial returns from a lucrative and growing market whilst helping to lessen environmental degradation across the globe.
For more information on investing in this bamboo alternative please contact Property Frontiers on +44 (0) 1865 202 700 or visit www.propertyfrontiers.com.