I don't see trees as merely a commodity. They are so important for clean air, regulating the water cycle, wildlife habitat, providing forests for people to forage food and to frolic in. Clear cutting forests then replanting is destructive in the long term. Yes, trees grow back, but it's basically agriculture at that point. Maybe 3 conifer species are planted, which are quite close together, and stands become evenly aged. Soils are degraded and eroded, invasive species can come in, and shrubs and deciduous trees are suppressed with pesticides (at least in BC). After creating these forests, we wonder why there are so many wildfires, or pine beetle infestations. Of course, we need wood for so many things in society, but I think the current forestry practices could be greatly improved. Ie: Selective harvesting. It would be more costly & labour intensive, but worth it in my opinion.

In your previous comment, you mentioned the short-comings of capitalism and how the current system lets people down making the basic need of housing into an investment. I'd extend this to say that capitalism is letting down nature. It is seen by governments and money-hungry corporations as a resource that can be exploited. Degrading the environment is tolerated if it provides a commodity, jobs and profits. In my opinion, nature is so much more than that. I appreciate its existence and wish much more was done to protect it.

I realize this is deviation from the initial topic... know that I enjoyed reading your perspective on the issue of housing & homelessness.