Reduce Your Carbon Footprint
Say you are a musician on tour, a researcher who needs to attend a conference on the opposite coast, or you are just making your daily Beltway commute, you're probably more aware of your carbon impact these days. Since 'An Inconvenient Truth' and the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, many of us have become more sensitized to the serious threats of climate change. With the dramatic weather patterns that most of the country is feeling- both in the winter and summer (and shortening of spring and fall), you're probably all too aware of the amount of energy you're using to stay warm or cool, respectively. Luckily, there are several carbon curbing solutions. One is to plant a tree.
This interactive form will help you calculate the amount of carbon that your household is responsible for releasing through energy use and other activities. Take five minutes to determine your impact on global warming, and then five more minutes to do something about it by supporting trees in urban areas. The World Resources Institute does not necessarily endorse any specific offset, green tag, or renewable energy credit (REC) providers (including the Alliance for Community Trees).
SafeClimate Calculator Using IFRAME
Atone for My Carbon!
1 ton = $25 donation
How did we arrive at this number?
The price of carbon on the mercantile exchanges floats between $10 and $50 per ton, averaging around $25 per ton. Rather than purchase something nebulous, we're offering to take what you might have otherwise invested in "carbon futures" and put that into something green. Let us plant trees on your behalf.
Is there a cheaper option?
We're glad you asked. Yes, there are much cheaper options and services that supposedly "offset your carbon." However, we don't believe that informed consumers would be comfortable with the results. See The Other Side of Carbon Trading and Climate Change Scorecard Released. Please be skeptical of these providers, despite whatever fancy certificate or bumper sticker you may receive in return. The only way to have a zero carbon footprint is to stop engaging in carbon-emitting activities (including breathing). So, while we cannot promise to offset your carbon, we can promise you that your donation will go to greening communities where people live and work.
Why trees?
Trees absorb CO2 from the air and use it during the process of photosynthesis. In fact, one tree will sequester over 600 pounds of carbon over a 40-year period. With city trees, there are the added benefits of shading homes for energy efficiency, creating more pleasing streets where consumers shop, protecting kids on playgrounds, and more.
Why urban trees?
Simply, urban forests are about trees in places where people live. Ultimately, conservation is about empowering citizens to improve the communities where they live and work. The Alliance for Community Trees is the only national organization working to improve the urban forests where 80% of Americans live- our cities, towns, and villages. ACT's national office assembles coalitions that drive broad environmental success for our more than 180 organizations in 41 states in the pursuit of Clean Air, Green Streets, and Healthy Neighborhoods.
The Alliance for Community Trees is a 501(c)3 tax exempt organization (EIN # 68-0319301), and also participates in the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC # 12402). To discuss planned giving opportunities, call us at 301-277-0040.
Contact us to discuss these and other ways to get involved.
