Lumber prices have soared, thanks to fires, beetles and climate change in western Canada

Lumber prices have reached an all-time high in North America this year, partly due to high demand, thanks to lockdown-induced home improvement projects. Supply has also tanked, due to years of pine beetle infestations and wildfires that have devastated forests in British Columbia, Canada — home to one of the world’s best supply of structural-grade lumber. Making things worse is climate change. Joining Marco Werman to discuss, is forest biologist Janice Cooke at the University of Alberta.