The next time you pick out a wine, choose wisely. Winemakers are now using plastic plugs and aluminum screw caps instead of cork since it's less expensive. This is putting cork forests in danger, because if the demand for cork decreases, economic incentives to protect these forests will fail to exist. According to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), there are currently 2.7 million hectares of cork forests in the world, and they provide a habitat for various endangered species like the Iberian lynx and Barbary deer. While we can't drink this problem away, we can at least put a cork in it. Cork forests are a renewable resource, and they are found in Algeria, Italy, Tunisia, Italy and France. Cork harvesting involves peeling the outer layer of bark off of the tree, and over time this layer regenerates. Harvesting occurs once every nine to twelve years in order for the bark to grow back, and the Forest Stewardship Council (FSW) ensures that cork forests are harvested in an eco-friendly way. In addition, these forests help absorb carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Environmental groups have been brainstorming for solutions, but a sufficient one has not been thought of yet. The solution would have to appease winemakers and protect cork forests. A potential project is underway to label certified-sustainable cork products similar to the way that organic products are marked. This would enable consumers to purchase wines that still use cork. Until this method of labeling is in place, it's up to the consumers to support wine that has not been corked with synthetic materials. So when you buy wine, look for winemakers that still use the cork. You can go a step further by purchasing organic wine too. According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), organic wine is "a wine made from organically grown grapes and without any added sulfites." However, there is another type of organic wine that is defined as "wine made from organic grapes." This second type is restricted to 100 ppm of added sulfites. Even if you choose to purchase an organic wine that contains sulfites, it's still a step toward being more environmentally conscious when shopping.