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Eco Kit Handbook Teams Magazine Industry Associations with Markets Initiative TORONTO, June 10, 2004 -- Publishers of 34 Canadian magazines, including Canadian Geographic, The Walrus and Cottage Life, announced today their pledge to shift away from papers containing tree fibre from the world’s ancient and endangered forests. This initial honour roll of magazines committed to eco-minded paper purchasing was unfurled by the forest conservation group Markets Initiative at a week-long industry conference co-sponsored by Canadian Magazine Publishers Association (CMPA) and a number of other industry groups. “Together, magazine publishers can effect real change,” said Al Zikovitz, president of Quarto Communications, which publishes explore and Cottage Life. “Our combined influence in the marketplace is already inspiring the emergence of new, environmentally sound paper choices and will soon provide choices that are Ancient Forest Friendly.” At the same event, CMPA and the British Columbia Association of Magazine Publishers (BCAMP) released the Coated Paper Eco Kit designed to assist magazine publishers and printers in adopting and implementing eco-friendly papers and production practices. Jointly produced by CMPA and BCAMP, the Coated Paper Eco Kit was developed in partnership with Markets Initiative, an environmental non-profit dedicated to the preservation of ancient and endangered forests. Markets Initiative encourages industrial-scale purchasers to reject ecologically detrimental papers, thus stimulating the market for Ancient Forest Friendly alternatives. The underlying market strategy is to diminish the economic incentives that currently drive the destruction of intact forest ecosystems. “Canadian magazine publishers are concerned about the impact of our industry on Canada and the world’s endangered forests,” said Mark Jamison, CMPA president. “The Coated Paper Eco Kit is a practical handbook that will help our industry and our suppliers move away from papers containing ancient and endangered forest fibre.” The effort to shift magazines away from ecologically damaging papers follows upon Markets Initiative’s successful campaign to encourage Canada’s book publishers to adopt Ancient Forest Friendly paper. Notably, Raincoast Books chose 100-percent recycled stock for the 1.3 million copies of the Canadian printing of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. There are now nine Ancient Forest Friendly book papers available from Canadian mills; there were none three years ago when Markets Initiative began its book paper campaign. International book publishers are now starting to follow their Canadian colleagues’ lead. “This initiative is about living Canadian content,” said Neva Murtha, magazine campaign coordinator for Markets Initiative. “These magazine publishers are maintaining the living legacy of both our cultural and astounding natural forest heritage. They join industry leaders such as IKEA and Raincoast Books in protecting ancient forests globally. Their commitments are already triggering the development of new Ancient Forest Friendly papers.” Magazines Committed to Protecting Ancient and Endangered Forests: Alternatives Journal About Markets Initiative About the CMPA About BCAMP For more information: Laurie Jennings Ana Torres |