In 2024 our planet has endured epic flooding in southern Poland, the southeastern US, and southeastern Spain, in addition to wildfires in Portugal and California. EPN-North America is headquartered in Western North Carolina, where Hurricane Helene recently left a devastating mark in the region. Our EPN-North America staff witnessed both heartbreaking losses and the resilience of our community – and as recovery unfolds, we’ve seen extraordinary acts of humanity that reflect our region’s spirit. Elizabeth Underwood, EPN-NA’s new Director, reflects on this journey – from moments that renewed our hope to the shared commitment driving our mission to protect forests, safeguard our climate, and support our communities. All of these global disasters bring home the pressing reality of the climate crisis.
A Message from Elizabeth Underwood
Greetings from EPN. I am honored to join this team of incredible partners dedicated to a shared vision of more just and sustainable forest, pulp and paper, and biomass industries.
In late September, I attended Climate Week NY, a powerful gathering where our partners discussed pathways toward a healthier planet. There were countless side events to the United Nations meetings, where we addressed topics including deforestation, sustainable farming production, and the health impacts of climate change. One of the most impactful roundtable meetings I attended was hosted by our partners at the Climate and Land Use Alliance. Here, we discussed the EU Regulation on Deforestation-free Products (EUDR), a groundbreaking policy to ensure that forest and other products in the EU market do not contribute to deforestation and forest degradation globally. This legislation directly addresses two of the most critical environmental challenges of our time: climate change and biodiversity loss.
While we are disappointed by the recent delay of the EUDR, I emphasized during the meeting how natural disasters underline the urgent need for climate action. As opponents of the EUDR often cite potential costs, we must also consider the cost of inaction—costs that our communities are currently bearing.
Hurricane Helene’s Personal Impact
The very next day, Hurricane Helene struck the Appalachian Mountains, devastating communities that many of us at EPN-North America call home. I had to extend my stay in New York until regional airports reopened, and returning to the Carolinas felt like stepping into a different world. Five weeks after the storm, many communities are still without safe drinking water, and recovery is slow. My last blog shared a glimpse of what I and thousands of others are experiencing.
Helene and its aftermath killed at least 230 people, caused 1,400 landslides, and damaged more than 160 water and sewer systems, at least 6,000 miles of roads, more than 1,000 bridges and culverts, and an estimated 126,000 homes. The estimated financial cost of Hurricane Helene’s damages could exceed $250 billion, including $53 billion in our home territory of North Carolina alone. We can’t afford not to turn advocacy into action now.
Lessons from Climate Week Brought home to Recovery Efforts in Western North Carolina
I experienced many great take-aways from participating in Climate Week, including that individually climate change and the health of our planet may seem overwhelming, but if we each contribute to a more sustainable future, collectively we can make a difference. Upon returning to my small town of Swannanoa, I joined relief efforts through my church, which had become a hub for food and supply distribution. I was deeply moved by the generosity of volunteers arriving with truckloads of supplies. Yet, as donations flowed in, so did cardboard and other debris, highlighting a lesser-seen side of the crisis: the overwhelming waste and the shutdown of local recycling centers. To help, I began asking out-of-town volunteers to take recyclables back with them—a small but impactful gesture. Volunteers are still needed, bringing not only their hands and hearts but also the willingness to carry home what we can’t process here. Five weeks later, I’m still receiving messages from a volunteer who stops by our church to carry home the recycling. This is a small yet admirable contribution…and it can be contagious! Think about the ripple effect that speaks to the power of collective action.
I hope you’ll also take a moment to reflect on why the first pillar of our Global Paper Vision—reducing consumption—is essential for a healthier planet. EPN-NA is currently working with partners to advance three key policies across major economic sectors, with the potential to save 11 billion trees annually and significantly reduce our environmental footprint. By addressing outdated regulations and mandates that drive waste, we’re working to create impactful reform. This collective effort is crucial to our mission.
A Call to Action for the Future
The response to climate challenges cannot be done alone. As we look to the future, I urge you to consider how your voice can shape change. One way to do this is to elect leaders who espouse your values and who prioritize a just and sustainable environment. Another way is to become involved with EPN, if you are not already. Our global network of partners support our visions and are the heart and soul of EPN. We also work with partners in policy reform, and provide tools such as our Paper Calculator™. If you would like to become more involved with our endeavors please reach out to us at elizabeth@environmentalpaper.org.
Together let’s create a world where we gather to celebrate and respect our differences, where every person is treated with kindness and dignity, and where we each act intentionally about our environmental impact while working together in collective action that makes our planet healthier. I invite you to join us in this journey.
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