Podcast: Is Lumber the Best Building Product for the Environment?
On the latest episode of the NAHB podcast Housing Developments, NAHB CEO Jerry Howard and SVP of Communications & Public Affairs Paul Lopez welcome Jackson Morill, CEO of the American Wood Council, to discuss how building material choices can impact the environment and how wood might have an answer to climate change concerns. In the face of an ongoing lumber supply and price crisis, this unique message comes at a critical time as NAHB continues to press for lasting solutions regarding supply and trade with Canada, and the nation grapples with growing concerns about the changing environment.
Tune in to hear another perspective on the lumber issue and to learn more about the value and future of wood as a building material.
About the guest: Jackson Morill has more than 20 years of experience working on environmental issues, sustainability, industry standards and testing, and other issues as a lawyer and trade association representative. He previously served as president of the Composite Panel Association (CPA), which represents manufacturers of composite wood panels. Prior to CPA, he worked for the American Chemistry Council, practiced environmental law at Beveridge & Diamond, and served as an environmental law consultant at the World Bank.
Latest from NAHBNow
Membership Recruitment and Retention
Nov 13, 2025
Fall Recruitment Competition Nears Finish LineThe competition concludes on Nov. 30 with several International Builders' Show prizes on the line.
Advocacy
Nov 13, 2025
Congress Passes Deal to Temporarily Fund Government and National Flood Insurance ProgramOn Nov. 12, Congress passed a short-term continuing resolution to reopen the government after the longest shutdown in history. The resolution, which President Trump signed late that evening, funds the government through Jan. 30, 2026.
Latest Economic News
Economics
Nov 13, 2025
Unchanged Lending Conditions for Residential Mortgages in Third QuarterLending standards for most types of residential mortgages were essentially unchanged, according to the recent release of the Senior Loan Officer Opinion Survey (SLOOS). For commercial real estate (CRE) loans, lending standards for construction & development were modestly tighter, while multifamily was essentially unchanged. Demand for both CRE categories was essentially unchanged for the quarter.
Economics
Nov 12, 2025
Adjustable-Rate Mortgage Applications RiseAll types of mortgage activity rose on a year-over-year basis in October, supported by recent declines in interest rates. Notably, adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) applications more than doubled from a year ago, and refinancing activity continued to strengthen.
Economics
Nov 12, 2025
Employment Loss and Post-COVID Recovery Across U.S. Metro AreasIn April 2020, total payroll employment in the United States fell by an unprecedented 20.5 million, following a loss of 1.4 million in March, as the COVID-19 pandemic brought the economy to a sudden halt. The unemployment rate surged by 10.4 percentage points to 14.8% in April. It was the highest rate effectively since the Great Depression.