If you've been smitten by the idea of buying gorgeous teak hardwood floors for your home only to have your environmentally sensitive friends and colleagues warn you away due to concerns, it may be worth listening to their concerns and evaluating on your own. After all, they don't want you to not buy something you want just for the sheer fun of dashing your dream of exotic teak hardwood floors, they're just trying to help you make the best choice possible.
It is absolutely critical to understand that the entire industry of growing and preparing teak hardwood flooring is global, and very diverse. It is literally impossible to make any broad statement(s) regarding how green or environmentally harmful the industry as a whole is. Let's examine a few common claims and look at relatively easy counter claims that demonstrate just how complex and varied the industry is before trying to come to any informed conclusions.
The easiest claim to assert is that cutting down any group of trees for something as frivolous as vanity doesn't make environmental sense. On the surface this statement sounds logical, but there are a few facts worthy of further consideration.
First is that the assumed motivation of vanity may not be as important as durability. Hardwood floors, especially teak, are famous for withstanding abuse and lasting a long time; Ancient cave temples of Salsette and elsewhere in Western India contain teak architecture that is still in good working order and has stood the test of time for 2000 years. So the first counter claim would be that the durability means less need for replacement flooring and thus less trees overall being cut down.
The second claim is that numerous companies grow tree farms over existing deforested areas. This very act keeps the land fertile for other species of flora and fauna. It is very difficult to argue against the environmental efficacy of preserving wildlife.
As stated before, the entire industry is full of diversity which makes it nearly impossible to accuse the entire industry as a whole of being environmentally unsound.
Another common environmental concern that has ramifications for medicine as well is the disappearance of any species of flora. The argument along these lines would be that old growth forests are being destroyed, and it certainly is an argument based on facts. The situation is so serious that many local governments, realizing the ecological and/or economic importance of their old growth teak forests, have already enacted strict protection laws protecting old growth forests.
On the other hand the increased global demand for teak products has long since outweighed supply and as a result numerous ventures have started plantations all around the globe. Spreading out is generally considered an effective method to ensure the survival of a species. Localized events such as fires, tsunamis, or even wars will no longer have the potential to completely decimate a species that has sufficiently spread out.
Increasing output globally has led to what some experts feel is a more sustainable long term teak production. Environmentally aware consumers have numerous attractive options in the way of sustainable plantations located all over the tropical belt.
One particular claim made by many environmentalists is actually based on a common misunderstanding; Some claims that destroying teak trees is the same as destroying rainforests.
This is perhaps the easiest claim to refute. While there may occasionally be a teak tree in a rainforest, they tend to grow in less densely packed deciduous forests with less rainfall and a drier climate.
There may also be environmental concerns regarding the manufacturing process, which is equally as difficult to offer sweeping generalizations of as the harvesting side of the business is.
In some areas, perhaps most, there may be negative environmental side effects from manufacturing teak hardwood flooring. It is extremely difficult and typically unfeasible to sustain a manufacturing operation with zero environmental impact. The degree and type of environmental impact caused varies with company to company and consumers will need to do their research.
One thing to consider is that often the side effects of manufacturing in poverty stricken areas such as Burma, is not only negative to the environment but potentially helpful to the general well being of the populace. The better off a given community of people are financially, the more likely they are to eventually become environmentally educated themselves.
Ultimately though the generally trade off in this regard is humanitarian versus environmental friendliness. It is certainly a dilemma worthy of serious contemplation.
In summary, vote with your money and the world can be a greener place.