Back in May 2020, Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro authorized the deployment of the Brazilian Armed Forces to prevent and combat environmental crimes, such as deforestation, as well as fighting fires in the Legal Amazon.
Part of these operations, called Operação Verde Brasil 2 (or Operation Green Brazil 2), have seized about 329,000 cubic meters of wood since that decree back in May 2020. One-third of this, more than 130 thousand cubic meters of wood, were seized in Brazil’s largest operation known as Operation Handroanthus, or Operation “Ipe” beginning in November 2020. To put it in perspective, that’s about 6,200 truckloads of illegally-sourced wood. The scale of this operation was so significant, that soldiers from the Ministry of Defense had to be called in December 2020.
The seizure of irregular timber on the border between the states of Pará and Amazonas dismantled about 30 lumber companies, which were fined for carrying out the illegal commercialization of forest species from native reserves in the Eastern Amazon. Tropical rainforest wood isn’t just bad for the environment. It’s often obtained illegally and there’s no way to have oversight in that lucrative lumber business.
At Thermory, we’re committed to responsible harvesting. None of our wood comes from the rainforests – it is all sustainable, temperate deciduous or coniferous forest wood. Our wood is sourced from Northern and Appalachian forests in the U.S. and Canada, as well as from Northern European forests. Scandinavia, where much of our wood is harvested, is known for having the most responsible forestry practices in the world.
We not only care about the quality of our products, but where they come from and how they are harvested. At Thermory, we believe we can be active in the fight against climate change and deforestation.
Learn more about the Thermory Footprint here.
