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Reforestation
Carbon Offset Code of
Best Practice
Futuro
Forestal
Welcome to
http://zerocarbonproject.com we are an
organisation doing our best to help reduce the carbon dioxide in the
atmosphere that is contributing to global warming. We do not believe
that an individual can simply plant a few trees and this will allow him or
her to continue with an eased conscience in their fossil fuel burning
present lifestyle, to do so would be naive. We do however believe in
reforestation as an end in itself. Indigenous people can be shown a
way to make a living from their local environment without having to migrate
to urban centres in search for work. They can do this by working with
our partners to plant and maintain forests in areas where previously the
land has been eroded through deforestation.
The worlds rainforests have been depleted by poverty
stricken populations using slash and burn farming techniques in many parts
of the world. We have chosen Panama as a safe country with a
government encouraging reforestation projects. We purchase land and
use the services of our award winning
reforesting
partners in Panama
who, under contract, plant and maintain new rainforest using a bio diverse
range of species of trees. By doing this over a period of 25 years,
the land slowly returns to a rainforest, bringing with it new plant species
and an environment within which all manner of flora and fauna can flourish.
Contributing towards our work in Panama helps contribute toward the
reduction of the greenhouse effect and global warming, the problem however,
is not so easily solved...
We are aware that we could offer a branded service so
individuals and businesses can call themselves "carbon neutral" or "zero
carbon" by analysing the amount of carbon dioxide they emit per year and
planting trees that are measured as reducing carbon dioxide by a certain
amount that offsets the amount of carbon dioxide released by their present
lifestyles. Perhaps a feeling of guilt or a desire to appeal to
customers as being a "green" company is behind such motivations. We
are however particularly wary of high polluting "green washing" companies,
furthermore we are sceptical of the calculations involved behind such
attempts to be "carbon neutral" by their very nature of measuring a
trees ability to absorb co2 they are prone to inaccuracies. We want to
encourage genuine action by individuals, business and influence our
societies attitude in general. It is a very positive thing if an
individual or business genuinely wants to behave in an ecologically
responsible manner. THINK GLOBALLY, ACT LOCALLY.
Ultimately a combination of actions are going to create a
sustainable industrial society within which plant and animal life can live
and flourish. Perhaps cycling to work, using less electricity or using
renewable energy to power our homes and business can have some impact.
We need to encourage lifestyle change to meet this goal. Our
reforestation efforts may also help, but we are keen to be perceived as
encouraging a realistic change, we don't want to be a band-aid to solve a
problem which is far more complicated to solve than just planting a few
trees.
The few rich individuals who are able to "offset" their
frequent transatlantic flights, do not even nearly compare with the reality
of the quantities of carbon dioxide being released by countries worldwide,
estimated to be around 30 billion tonnes a year, the amount of trees we
would need to plant to counteract the emissions of the rapidly
industrialising world would be vast. In short, there just isn't enough
land to reforest. Furthermore, we know that ecologically minded
consumers will pay more or will choose to consume with companies that they
believe are doing something for the environment. This in turn has led
to companies wishing to maximise their profits to invest in "zero carbon"
marketing activities. We very much doubt the motives and sincerity of
many of these companies in actually wishing to promote the reduction in
greenhouse gases. There are, however, good companies out there and it
is important for consumers to know who they are and be able to differentiate
them from companies that are on the "green" band wagon for the profit
potential only. Companies demonstrating compliance with ISO 14064 in
analysing their carbon emissions can apply for zero carbon status after
offsetting these emissions.
As an organisation, we can offer our services, we can plant
trees and reforest areas of depleted land, if you wish to donate to our
cause you can say that you have done something toward the grand effort
required. There are many changes in lifestyle and attitudes required
in order to combat the problem of our industrialised societies on the
environment. In conjunction with reducing your use of fossil fuels,
reforestation can and will help. Please contribute toward our work.
Thank you.
Zero Carbon Project
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http://zerocarbonproject.com
TEL: (UK) 0208 1230625
EMAIL: info@zerocarbonproject.com
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