Trump order accelerates logging, raising climate and wildfire concerns

President Donald Trump’s executive order to boost domestic timber production could worsen climate change, harm biodiversity, and increase wildfire risks, environmental advocates warn.

Kiley Bense reports for Inside Climate News.

In short:

• The executive order aims to increase logging by streamlining permits, including those under the Endangered Species Act, to expand timber and paper production.
• Conservationists argue the move undermines efforts to combat climate change, as mature forests store carbon and help mitigate extreme weather events.
• The order coincides with staff reductions at the U.S. Forest Service, raising concerns about the agency’s capacity to manage forests sustainably.

Key quote:

“If it’s just about accelerating logging with no consideration of the long-term biodiversity or climate or forest health or forest structural demands, then it could be incredibly harmful.”

— Nick Pevzner, University of Pennsylvania assistant professor in landscape architecture and urban planning

Why this matters:

Forests absorb carbon dioxide, helping to slow global warming. Increased logging, especially of older trees, releases stored carbon and can make wildfires more severe. The U.S. Forest Service is already stretched thin, and further cuts may weaken oversight. While the administration argues that expanded logging supports the economy, many rural communities rely more on ecotourism than the timber industry. Balancing forest management with climate goals remains a critical challenge.

Related: Trump orders expansion of U.S. timber production, citing national security