On this EcoJustice Radio show we journey through the challenges facing our world’s forest sustainability. What does it take to protect tropical rainforests in places like the Amazon from illegal logging? What about the corporations profiting off the illegal logging trade? Host Jack Eidt speaks with Forest Policy Specialist Scott Paul on his transition from activism with Greenpeace to corporate sustainability with Taylor Guitars.
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Forest Sustainability: Innovations from Taylor Guitars
When you think of guitars, have you ever pondered where the materials for these instruments come from? In this episode, we’re introduced to Scott Paul, the Director of Sustainability at Taylor Guitars, who elevates the conversation about sustainability and music.
“A forest is a complex, living organism that’s evolving over time with different age classes, different temperature variations. It’s a living, functioning, evolving ecosystem.” — Scott Paul
Scott has dedicated his life to protecting forests. With a history as a forest campaigner at Greenpeace, he’s been on the front lines of environmental policy and activism since the 90s. He delves into the nuances of defining a forest—more than just trees, but a complex ecosystem. He recounts the evolution of environmental campaigns from Greenpeace to the global impact of the Rio Earth Summit, and the ongoing battle against illegal logging.
STORY: Reforest the Earth: Planting Old Growth Trees in Fight Against Climate Change
Taylor Guitars: Musical Instruments and Community Empowerment
Now, at Taylor Guitars, he’s prioritizing the need for sustainable practices with the crafting of quality instruments. Many of the woods traditionally chosen to make acoustic guitars are under pressure due to a range of factors, including rising global consumption patterns and land conversion, and too often in many parts of the world, a lack of dedicated governance.
Stressing the importance of ethical wood sourcing for musical instruments, Scott Paul shares about Taylor Guitars’ innovative projects. From the Ebony Project in Cameroon, which combines reforestation with community empowerment, to the reforestation efforts in Hawaii aimed at creating a sustainable source for koa wood, Scott illustrates how a guitar company can set new standards for environmental responsibility in the music industry. We hope to uncover the intricate relationship between forests, guitars, and global sustainability.
STORY: How Urban Forestry Can Cool the Climate and Promote Social Equity
The Future of Forests
The Future of ForestsBut it’s not just about the wood. It’s about the future of our forests and the fate of humanity’s relationship with nature. Scott’s optimism for change, fueled by the ingenuity and passion of the younger generation, offers hope. The episode closes with a discussion on the music industry’s environmental impact, highlighting artists like Billie Eilish who are leading the way in sustainable touring practices.
If you’re a lover of music, the environment, or both, this episode is a must-listen. It’s a call to action for all of us to consider the sources of the products we love and to support the companies and individuals making a positive impact on our planet. Tune in, be inspired, and perhaps the next time you hear the strum of a guitar, you’ll listen a little deeper.
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Resources/Articles:
https://woodandsteel.taylorguitars.com/authors/scott-paul/
Scott Paul is Taylor Guitar’s Director of Sustainability [https://www.taylorguitars.com/about/sustainability]. Prior to this, the majority of his career was spent as a forest policy specialist and activist, including 14 years at Greenpeace. Scott has worked for The White House Office on Environmental Policy, participated in the UN forest policy dialogue since 1995, and has served on multiple boards of directors, including the Forest Stewardship Council. His work has taken him to the Amazon, the Congo Basin, Southeast Asia, the Canadian boreal, Alaska, and the Russian Far East. He is also the first person in over 100 years to have been arrested for Sailormongering.
Jack Eidt is an urban planner, environmental journalist, and climate organizer, as well as award-winning fiction writer. He is Co-Founder of SoCal 350 Climate Action and Executive Producer of EcoJustice Radio. He is also Founder and Publisher of WilderUtopia [https://wilderutopia.com], a website dedicated to the question of Earth sustainability, finding society-level solutions to environmental, community, economic, transportation and energy needs.
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Executive Producer and Host: Jack Eidt
Engineer and Original Music: Blake Quake Beats
Episode 222
Photo credit: Scott Paul
Updated 10 November 2024
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