Deforestation has become an increasingly pressing issue over the last decade in the United States, with news of wildfires on the West Coast – in states like California and Oregon – becoming an almost daily occurrence. These fires have resulted in 1.59 million hectares of trees being lost in the U.S. alone. This is in addition to developers clearing forests out in states such as Georgia and South Carolina, areas which have seen a significant increase in deforestation over the last 12 years according to the climate advocacy group Global Forest Watch. While this will have a continuing impact on various industries and supply chains for years to come, there’s one affected industry in particular that may surprise many given its recent boom: the bourbon industry.
Over the past decade, the bourbon industry has seen significant growth in the U.S., with analysis showing that it has grown at a faster rate than the economy of the nation during the time period from 2016 to 2021. But while bourbon consumption is up, bourbon production is in jeopardy as there have been concerns among many makers about deforestation’s affect on the white oak tree population, which encompasses a large majority of America’s forestland and is essential in the creation of oak barrels which are used in bourbon production. Hearing the call, bourbon makers Angel’s Envy have set out to do their part in educating consumers about the issue and encouraging them to get more involved in supporting white oak sustainability and, in turn, securing the future of bourbon. One major initiative that the Louisville, Kentucky-based distillery has launched is their #ToastTheTrees campaign.
