Wood science improves the quality of life

Summary

Quality of life for most citizens of industrialized countries (ICs) means an abundance of consumer goods and enjoyment of culture; for the underprivileged citizen of a developing country (DC) it means food, shelter and health care for immediate survival. Development aid to help the latter has become big business and much care is required to ensure that assistance really reaches the deserving recipients. Wood science in contributing to the wise utilization of the forest can help both. The urban and rural poor of DCs may benefit through improved access to affordable and salubrious wooden homes, furniture and other utensils, combined with sound forest management to maintain their ecological environment. Well-to-do members of ICs provide the stimulus and market support for research leading to innovations. They will reap the reward of living in homes and public buildings made of and furnished with a natural material, wood, which will acquire increasing emotional value in the coming crowded centuries. Wood, if it can meet the challenge of providing competitive goods of acceptable quality, is well placed to become a preferred material. In this sense, wood science is capable of enhancing the quality of life of many members of the human family.