Humans have been cutting down trees since the end of the last Ice Age. Even by the Neolithic period, i.e from around 6-8,000 years ago, whole scale clearance of forests was taking place across Europe. Some of this was a bi-product of domesticated stock grazing; some was direct harvesting for building materials and fuel; most was probably due to felling and burning to make farm fields. For thousands of years, then, we have been destroying the planet’s life-nurturing tree cover.
But now look what nightmare plans are afoot for our surviving trees – genetically engineered fuel- and paper-making-friendly trees that grow in sterile, silent forests. In the video geneticist David Suzuki gives clear explanations of what is involved in genetic engineering and flags up the potential consequences of the bio-tech industry’s objectives for tree-life on the planet. It is all very disturbing, but I think we need to know what’s going on in our world, and with official sanction. See what you think. This is followed by a documentary film, in which Dr. Suzuki is also the narrator.
<p><a href=”https://vimeo.com/51040243″>A Silent Forest</a> from <a href=”https://vimeo.com/user11341138″>Raindancer Media</a> on <a href=”https://vimeo.com”>Vimeo</a>.</p>
Tish Farrell 
Oh dear, this is a true nightmare, Tish! Thanks for sharing the links.
While it’s truly disturbing, ignorance is not bless. As I know you do, we each must do our part in our small area of the universe. And spread the word, as you are doing.
Thank you for this, Tish….an excellent video – one that brings home the ever increasingly disturbing territory we are moving into. Corporate ownership is rife in all areas of our lives….but once the huge conglomerates with their ever increasing greed take over the very air we breathe….because after all trees have such an important part in just that…..I believe we are in the deepest of trouble. Rachel Carson paints such a horrific picture of forests and woods with no birdsong…no insects…..
We must wake up and come together against such madness….Janet.
I couldn’t agree more, Janet.
Very informative! Reminds me a bit of “The Silent Spring.” Thanks for sharing!
Add this to fracking. If I were Mother Earth, I’d be preparing some serious payback for my ungrateful human children.
I think we may live to receive it.
Wealth, greed, profit comes before everything these days. is it even possible for us to stop this?
A question I have been asking myself. Of course this particular hydra has arisen out of the need to cut dependence on oil – so haven’t they got a ‘good’ excuse for finding new ways to factory farm plant-based fuel. It’s alarming indeed. In its death throes, does corporate capitalism mean to take us all with it? None of this is sustainable.
My ‘like’ vote is for your post, but not for the story it tells.
I understand entirely 🙂
I only watched part of the videos, but it’s frightening and I suspect that most people have no idea about this.
We have been rather brainwashed into trusting that science always works in our best interests. Yet science is based on postulating and testing theories. Scientists are not the guardians of absolute truths. Consumption keeps us distracted of course, and corporations are shadowy, sneaky entities.
That is a very disturbing video Tish. I knew that GM technology was applied to plants and I try to avoid using any food stuff that has a GM label on it. But I had not heard of the same horrific technology being applied to trees and the thought of where that will lead appals me. It does make me feel quite helpless as to what sort of world our children and grandchildren will inherit. It can only be hoped that the likes of Dr Suzuki and the other scientist in the video can some how stop this insidious spread of the multinational conglomerates and their greed for profit at any cost.
Hear, hear to that, re Dr Suzuki et al. I think it’s also a matter for everyone else to spread the video. The second one on my post has been designed to be shared any which way.
Just when I thought it couldn’t get any worse.
It is tragic and we are slowly killing our planet, God knows how it will end. But I think there are people everywhere who are doing their best to preserve our home. Thanks.
Yes, indeed, there are some determined individuals and groups trying to preserve the planet from excess depredation. But so much destruction goes on without our knowledge. I think we all need to become activists 🙂
Thank you, Tish. I finally watched the second video. Awareness is the first step, informing others the second, but it is not enough, and who can stand up to big bucks and giant corporations.
Yes, that is the question, Paula. Maybe this morning’s bad news on the rapidity of global warming might make governments give them a prod.