Ariel, I may be wrong as to the strong economies, but I think they respect the trading and environmental laws to a greater extent than the smaller economies that are heavily on the black market. There is little addition to the GNP of a major economy in the trade in exotic materials. But I look at it from the viewpoint of the US, which, despite world opinion, does control the exotic material trade. We use little rosewood or mahogany here, much more plastic and oak. As to environmental laws we have been castigated for objecting to Kyoto, a bad treaty. But who else has ratified it, certainly not the European nations. The burning of the Amazonian rain forests is a "double whammy", CO2 from the burning, and the loss of the CO2 absorption from the trees.
I shan't argue the point, you are entitled to your opinion. But I feel the greater depradations to the environment and endangered species (be they animal or vegetable) are from the "third world", not the industrialized nations. Best, Jon PS, My harps are of US walnut or cherry, as is my lute. With soundboards of Sitka Spruce or Finnish Birch.
