Sixty-one forest conservation organisations from across Australia have released a statement calling for an immediate end to native forest logging on public lands.
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The statement comes as the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has issued a Code Red for humanity.
Bob Debus, former Minister for Environment for NSW and current chairman of Colong Foundation for Wilderness says conserving our forests is critical for addressing climate change.
"We know now that preserving big, mature trees is one of the best ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and that allowing young native forests to grow old does more to increase carbon storage and protect wildlife than planting new trees," he explained.
"Timber needs can readily be met by improving the management of our planted forests including agro-ecological plantings on farms.
"The continued logging of public native forest can take place only in flagrant disregard for Australia's national interest."
The statement has also been driven by growing concern about biodiversity loss.
Australia's environmental groups are concerned with the impact that logging is having on native wildlife.
According to Jess Berkerling from Western Australian Forest Alliance the activities are driving some species to the brink.
"Endangered birds and mammals including red-tailed black cockatoos, swift parrots, Leadbeaters' possums and quokkas are losing critical habitat in logging operations and being pushed closer to extinction every time a logging crew moves in to one of their remaining forests.
"This statement, signed by groups around Australia, calls on decision-makers to take urgent action to protect Australia's remaining native forests for wildlife and biodiversity."
North East Forest Alliance's Susie Russell believes the forested areas perform many vital services and to view them simply as a resource to be exploited is short-sighted.
"It's well past time that public land was managed in the public interest," she said.
"Our public native forests provide valuable services such as flood and erosion mitigation, carbon storage and maintaining biodiversity.
"These are all diminished by logging and their value increased by restoration and protection.
"In the face of the climate emergency bearing down on us, governments should take immediate action to stop the ongoing destruction and begin the restoration."
Aila Keto from Australian Rainforest Conservation Society says action is needed given the critical state of our planet.
"The Forest Statement is a landmark of unanimity in the whole history of "Forest Wars" in Australia.
"Failure is inconceivable in the face of the now virtually imminent collapse of forest ecosystems and Earth systems generally."
The statement will be sent to the prime minister, state premiers and environmental ministers around the country.