The AP just ran a story about cork farming, but what is the environmental damage they're talking about?

Question

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070806/sc_nm/cork_dc

If it's an environmental problem, what's the problem.

If it isn't, then how did this "journalist" slip it by the editors.

Answer 1

The problem is that if they go to all plastic corks, the cork tree farms will be plowed under for profitable crops and the cork tree ecosystem will be lost.  It is not a pollution issue, but a loss of habitat that will impact plants and animals that are only found in these habitats.

Answer 2

15 Years ago NPR ran stories saying that the wine industry was at risk from a lack of natural cork and there was a need to find alternatives for stopping up a bottle of wine.

Answer 3

Dr. Henry has it.. it is a loss of habitat  issue..

With alternatives to cork for wine bottle stoppers.. less cork is being used and the less cork is needed.  Therefore, less cork will be farmed and the less cork trees will be around..

Answer 4

That writer is a real cork soaker.