Dear USDA, today I stand before you as a eco-aware citizen in Southwest Florida. I am here to to testify on the merits and pitfalls of bringing plots of genetically modified eucalyptus here at FGCU.
The eucalyptus tree has 800 species, with all but three or four endemic to Australia. Its full name is Eucalyptus camalduensis and is a perennial, single-stemmed, large boled, medium sized to tall tree. This tree lies near water and the seeds success for growth is based off of flooding. The leaves are loved by kangaroos and koalas. Both animals that are not natural to SWFL environment. Eucalyptus can deploy a full canopy of leaves within a fear years. It is greedy for carbon, and within 27 months can grow up to 55 feet in height. What benefit would we have to invest in ArborGen to plant test plots of GM eucalyptus at FGCU? Eucalyptus makes great paper however, as a university and more general as a society we are trying to cut down paper usage.
There are many reasons not to have this tree come on campus. For starters they are extremely flammable. I'm going on a limb here, but I would say bringing a tree into a dry environment where fires occur would not be the best idea. Especially in a land that is flooded with students daily. A quick rapid fire could easily damage the entire campus and be fatal to civilians. These types of fires have happened in California where GM eucalyptus plants have been planted. Eucalyptus trees suck up a lot of water, this could in turn leave us with a drought. The drought could then start a wildfire to the trees we have discussed as highly flammable. Not even the wildlife in our forests can benefit from this tree. It is not suitable for them for food or habitat. It doesn't make sense to me why ArborGen wants to test plot GM eucalyptus. I have stated both intrinsic and extrinsic concerns that show that no reasonable and cost-effective steps can be taken to mitigate the risks. There seems to be no benefit worth the risk. And NO, paper production and timber is not a stellar reason to plant this tree. Even though I can see where the fast growing ability would be inciting. We need to stop thinking about instant production and money and consider long-term effects that could damage our environment to where no amount of production or money can solve it.
Until next time,
Annie
Resources
http://www.anbg.gov.au/cpbr/WfHC/Eucalyptus-camaldulensis/index.html
http://globaljusticeecology.org/stopgetrees_about.php?ID=402
http://www.environmentalleader.com/2010/06/10/arborgen-approved-to-test-gm-trees/
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/02/02/tech/main6166930.shtml
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