NEUTRAL IS NOT ENOUGH.
Climate+ is the action of going beyond net zero. It means doing more than just offsetting your carbon footprint - by creating an environmental benefit by removing additional carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
We know that one of the most sustainable and cost-effective ways to accomplish this is by planting trees. Climate+ is a community of tree planters, rehabilitating our Earth, and having fun while we’re at it.
How can we do better?
There’s no such thing as a perfect environmentalist, don’t be discouraged by your ability to make meaningful changes. Big change can start as as small as:
- Turning your thermostat down by 2 degrees.
- Wearing clothes more than once before washing them.
- Bike, walk or ride the bus to work!
- Switch over to LED bulbs and smart appliances.
- Try buying local, seasonal fruits and vegetables.
- Use waxed cloth instead of plastic wrap for food.
- Remember your reusable bags, mugs and cutlery for all outings.
The impact of trees
Did you know that trees combat climate change? We have tonnes (literally) of excess carbon dioxide in our air. Trees do something called ‘sequestering carbon’, it’s their way of cleaning our air, and eliminating harmful elements from the earth. They do that by absorbing the C02, and storing the carbon. Not only do trees sequester carbon, they also produce oxygen. Next time you’re outside, take a nice deep breath of fresh air, and thank the nearest tree.
As we work to fight global warming, we can also thank the trees for cooling our earth. They provide shade, and their leaves release water vapor, cooling the planet even more. Just ten trees can offset the impact of a weekend road trip, a lifetime of iphones or even your drunken 2am hamburger habit.
Why trees
Tree planting has a meaningful impact that reaches far beyond carbon sequestration. They provide homes for wildlife, and in areas like Madagascar, the crab and fish populations provide additional food sources and income for the locals. In addition to the environmental benefits, we employ people from local communities. This extends our impact far beyond environmentalism. These are the building blocks of a long lasting and sustainable restoration project.
We recognize that there are lots of ways to offset carbon, but are confident that our tree planting initiatives provide the most meaningful, holistic and verified impact on our Earth.
What does offsetting mean to tentree?
To tentree, neutrality isn’t change, so ‘offsetting’ means going beyond neutral and doing something positive for our planet. We don’t agree with the idea that simply doing no harm will equate to change, we’re here on this beautiful earth, ready to do some good.
We want to make offsetting easy, understandable, accessible, fun, and impactful. Our climate+ packages aim to do just that.
Where do we plant your trees?
Our Earth Day Climate+ packages will allow us to work with our partners to plant many species of trees including mangroves in the coastal regions of Madagascar and Indonesia. Mangrove trees are one of the most efficient carbon sequestering trees in the world and planting them provides much more than a carbon impact for our planet. We are incredibly grateful for our planting partners, like Eden Reforestation Projects who are on the ground making things happen.
The Math
This climate+ package assumes a ~12 hour road trip with a mid size vehicle , going an average speed of 100km per hour. You and 3 of your best friends are eating a mix of fast food and other moderately unhealthy dietary choices.
| Drive | 0.6024 MT CO2 |
| Burger | 0.024MT CO2 |
| Coca Cola | 0.00288 MT CO2 |
| Chips | 0.00064 MT CO2 |
| Hotel Stay | 0.62MT CO2 |
| Total | 1.24992 MT CO2 |
Drive
The average car uses about 404 grams of CO2 per mile. To translate from miles to kilometres, we divide miles by 1.609, and simultaneously divide grams by 1.609. This means the average car uses about 251 grams of C02 per kilometer.
(divide by 1.609) 1: 404grams (divide by 1.609)
0.6214: 251grams
If you are driving at 100km per hour for the duration of the trip, the drive would be 1,200km. In order to get the total grams of CO2 we multiply 251grams by 1,200km by 2 ways.
251 grams per kilometer x 1200 km x 2 ways = 602,400 grams CO2
To get from grams to metric tons we use the conversion factor 0.000001and get 0.6024 MT CO2.
602,400 grams CO2 x 0.000001 = 0.6024 MT CO2
Burger
On average burgers emit 3kg of CO2. If each friend orders 2 burgers on the trip this will equal 24kg of CO2.
3kg x 4 friends x 2 times = 24kg CO2
In order to convert kg CO2 to metric tons we use the conversion factor 0.001which means the burgers emit 0.024 MT CO2.
24kg CO2 x 0.001 = 0.024MT CO2
Coca Cola
Each can of Coca Cola emits 360g CO2. If each of you and your friends each have 2 coca colas over the duration of the trip you would emit 2,880 grams of CO2.
360grams CO2 x 4 friends x 2 drinks = 2,880 grams CO2
In order to convert grams into metric tons we use the conversion factor 0.000001and get 0.0028 MT CO2
2,880 grams CO2 x 0.000001 = 0.00288 MT CO2
Chips
Every bag of chips emits 80 grams of carbon. If you and your friends eat 8 bags of chips during the car ride you would emit 640 grams CO2
80grams x 8 bags = 640 grams CO2
In order to convert grams into metric tons we use the conversion factor 0.000001which equals 0.00064 MT CO2
640grams x 0.000001 = 0.00064 MT CO2
Hotel Stay
Hotels emit about 31kg of CO2 per room per night. Assuming each of you have your own room, this would mean 4 rooms over 5 nights, so a total of 20 nights. These 20 nights would equal 620kg CO2.
20 nights x 31kg per night = 620kg CO2
In order to convert kg into metric tons we use the conversion factor 0.001 and we get a total of 0.62 MT CO2.
620kg x 0.001 = 0.62MT CO2
Total
In total this care trip would emit about 1.24992 MT CO2
0.6024 MT + 0.024MT + 0.00288 MT + 0.00064 MT + 0.62 MT= 1.24992 MT CO2
Link - Car Emissions - https://www.epa.gov/greenvehicles/greenhouse-gas-emissions-typical-passenger-vehicle
Link - Chip Emissions - https://www.greenbiz.com/news/2009/02/17/bag-walkers-crisps-83g-fat-80g-co2
Link - Hotel Emissions - https://considerategroup.com/carbon-emissions/
