New Report Finds Top Children's Book Publishers Using Paper Linked to Rainforest Destruction

America's children's books are contributing to the destruction of
endangered rainforests in Indonesia, according to a new report released
today by Rainforest Action Network (RAN). The report, entitled Turning
the Page on Rainforest Destruction; Children's Books and the Future of
Indonesia's Rainforests, finds that a majority of the top ten U.S.
children's publishers have released at least one children's book that
tested positive for paper fiber linked to the destruction of
Indonesia's rainforests, including some books that describe the
benefits of rainforest conservation.

"Considering that many publishers have already made public
commitments to reduce their environmental footprint, we were surprised
by the industry-wide scope of the problem," said Lafcadio Cortesi of
Rainforest Action Network. "We don't think that kids and their parents
want to choose between loving books and protecting the rainforest."

RAN had 30 colored children's books tested for fiber associated with
deforestation in Indonesia and found that 18 of the 30 books (60
percent) contained controversial fiber. RAN's tests point to a growing
industry trend toward the overseas printing of children's books, as
well as other glossy paper books like coffee table books and textbooks,
on fiber that is from controversial and endangered sources.

"There are clear, workable alternatives to printing on paper that
destroys the world's last remaining rainforests," continued Cortesi.
"The publishing industry shouldn't tolerate printing even one book that
contributes to rainforest destruction, species extinction and climate
change."

Worldwide, the degradation and destruction of tropical rainforests
is responsible for fifteen percent of all annual greenhouse emissions.
The carbon emissions resulting from Indonesia's rapid deforestation
account for up to five percent of global emissions: more than the
combined emissions from all the cars, planes, trucks, buses and trains
in United States. This huge carbon footprint from the destruction of
forests and peatlands has made non-industrialized Indonesia the
third-largest global greenhouse gas emitter, behind only the U.S. and
China.

The full text of the report can be downloaded at www.ran.org/bookreport

Accompanying images and b-roll of rainforest destruction can be downloaded for free at https://rainforestactionnetwork.smugmug.com/Rainforest-Free-Paper

Additional information on Indonesia's rainforests can be found at www.ran.org/forests