As you know, each of our beach communities are racing to rebuild their Sandy ravaged boardwalks in time for summer. Numerous contractors have submitted bids to each town to do the construction, using a variety of wood and composite materials. Several contractors offered to use a wood called ipe. Towns like Avon and Belmar moved forward to approve ipe contracts.Luckily, our friends at the Rainforest Relief had been monitoring these activities and immediately stepped in to educate these towns. Ipe is actually a tropical hardwood, harvested (often illegally) from rainforests around the world that are rapidly disappearing. Here are some facts:
- Logging is the primary factor leading to deforestation.
- On average, loggers in the Amazon kill 28 trees for every high value tree cut, destroying about half the canopy.
- The US is the single largest importer of tropical hardwoods.
- Rainforests are the most biologically diverse ecosystems on the planet. Many rainforest plants and animals are rapidly becoming extinct, many of them were unknown by science.
- Deforestation is responsible for 25 - 30% of human caused greenhouse gases.
- For more info, click here.
When confronted with the truth, Belmar sought to rebuild their boardwalk with Trex (a composite material made in part from recycled fiber and plastic). Avon, however, has refused to reconsider. Even with growing pressure from environmental groups and citizens, Avon ordered their ipe, and is awaiting the start of construction.
Avon ordered 58,200 square feet of ipe boards. Calculations show that 766 acres of rainforest were logged to produce this much wood. Avon itself is just 347 acres! In addition, Avon has sought funds from FEMA to help pay for this construction, using our Federal Tax Dollars!
What can we do about it?
First, sign the petition to Mayor Robert Mahon, and forward it to others.
On Saturday evening (March 23rd), Avon is holding a fundraising party called "Bucks for Boards". At a recent town hall meeting, the organizer stated that most of the money raised would go to build a new playground on the beach. Irregardless, join the Bus for Progress, Rainforest Relief, The Monmouth County Green Party, and other environmental groups to hold a "teaching demonstration" outside the Avon Municipal Building to educate folks entering the party. We'll ask them to speak to their Mayor and Commissioners about reversing their decision. Avon could be the only town in Monmouth County that will use rainforest hardwood to build their boardwalk!
It is hard to believe that Avon can not, even at this late date, switch to an environmentally sound building material. And it is unconscionable to think that Avon would choose to rebuild from Hurricane Sandy using a material that makes another hurricane even more likely!
Join the Bus for Progress at 5:30 PM on 301 Main Street in Avon. Our action will last till 7 PM.
Come spare 90 minutes to help rebuild the Jersey Shore for the future! Spread the word to neighbors and friends. Make a sign to kindly educate the residents of Avon. Young folks will make a special impression. We have invited media to cover the event. We hope to see you Saturday!
Email us at info@BusForProgress.org with any questions.
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