Action Alert: Say No to GMO Paper!

Genetically modified paper may be coming to an office supply store near you.

The issue: The USDA has approved field trials of over 200,000 GMO eucalyptus trees on 300 acres in seven states in the Southeast. Sponsored by the paper companies International Paper, MeadWestvaco and Rubicon, the trees are modified for cold resistance meaning they can be grown in areas where they wouldn’t naturally survive.

 
Critics warn of the possible invasiveness of eucalyptus modified to be more successful, the burden on water sources from this heavy drinker and the forest fire risk from its incredible flammability. Even a scientist working with the biotech company told the Huffington Post there is a real risk the cold-resistant gene could spread to area plants letting them migrate further north than they should.
 
All for a piece of paper.

Take action #1: Write to or call the top U.S. office supply stores and let them know consumer demand supports paper free of genetically engineering.

Office Depot
321 Southeast 2nd Street
Delray Beach, FL 33183-4505
1-800-463-3768
Staples
500 Staples Drive
Framingham, MA 01702
508-253-5000
OfficeMax
263 Shuman Blvd.
Naperville, IL 60563
630-438-7800

You can include these points:

  • Consumers repeatedly and increasingly purchase products free of genetic engineering.
  • Genetically modified tree plantations put native forests at risk.
  • Pollen from genetically modified trees can travel hundreds of miles and contaminate trees far from the plantation.
  • This genetically modified eucalyptus has the potential to become an invasive species in the Southeast as non-GMO eucalyptus has on the West coast.
  • You have the opportunity to lead the market on eco-conscious office supplies by refusing to carry paper products from genetically modified trees.

Or, visit Organic Consumer's Association website to fill out an online form.

Take Action #2: Rodale Institute has partnered with an innovative paper company, New Page, as well as Rodale, Inc. and Echo Power Equipment, to put trees to work improving ecosystems, while helping create a healthy prosperity for farmers and small forest landowners.
 
The Tree as a Crop project is set to demonstrate the potential of both fast-growing softwood and slower-growing hardwood species to act as windbreak and erosion-control field borders, and then be utilized to produce paper and wood products.
 
Become an Organic Supporter and help combat GMOs with sustainable research.

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NO to GM Paper

Submitted by C. McSheehy (not verified) on Sun, 06/27/2010 - 13:05.

Monsanto, and other chemical comanies, GM crops WILL NOT solve the worlds problems AND may cause more non-reversable problems than we even know at this time!!!!

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