Maine Monitor interviews Shaler about carbon footprint of wood for housing

Stephen Shaler, director of the School of Forest Resources and associate director of the Advanced Structures and Composites Center at the University of Maine, spoke with The Maine Monitor about comparing the carbon footprint of wood to other building materials. Shaler, also a professor of wood sciences, was featured in a “Sea Change” commentary piece titled “Cottage Industry: Small wood homes yield big climate benefits.” According to the article, “Up to half of a structure’s lifetime carbon footprint can come from the harvest, manufacturing and transportation of its components, known collectively as the ‘embodied carbon.’” Shaler said sustainably harvested wood has a smaller carbon footprint than other building materials like steel and concrete, especially when transport is minimal. The article also highlighted UMaine’s effort to build a demonstration-scale nanocellulose plant that will advance next generation bio-based products. The Center Square highlighted the interview from The Maine Monitor article in its story titled “Small homes made of Maine materials could boost economy, aid climate, council says.” The Washington Examiner shared The Center Square piece.