Website Helps Plan a Climate-Neutral Vacation
EarthVision Environmental News
06/23/00
WASHINGTON, June 23, 2000 - By planting just a few trees, families can offset the amount of carbon dioxide they are contributing to the atmosphere during a typical two-week vacation, according to a national nonprofit organization. American Forests is encouraging every family to take a few minutes while planning their vacations to visit their web site and see how they can have a greener vacation.
According to American Forests, a family of four on a 2-week "family-style" vacation that includes 1,200 miles of driving, can offset their climate impact by planting nine trees - less than the cost of half a tank of gasoline. The tree number increases to 14 for a couple on a two-week "first class" vacation to a destination 2,500 miles away. A "back to nature" camping and canoe trip for four for the same number of days can be offset by just five trees.
"Vacations are important for personal and family well-being and for other reasons," said Deborah Gangloff, American Forests' executive director. "We're simply pointing out that a lot of greenhouse gases are produced from our daily activities including vacations. As people become more aware of these impacts, many will realize that offsetting their carbon dioxide emissions is good for environment and only takes a click of the mouse."
Strategically planted trees can counter many of the consequences associated with an increase in global warming. According to American Forests, one tree will remove about 2,000 pounds of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere over 40 years. Since cars produce about 20 pounds of carbon dioxide for every gallon of gas burned, a 2,000-mile trip can produce the same amount of carbon dioxide that it takes one tree to remove over a 40-year period. By planting several trees, these emissions can be offset and global warming slowed.
American Forests also has a tool on their web site to help families offset their carbon dioxide emissions for a year. The Climate Change Calculator uses information such as the type and amount of energy used in the house and the number of miles driven to determine the number of trees needed to offset these emissions.
American Forests will plant more than 3 million trees this year in Global ReLeaf projects to restore native longleaf pine forests in Florida, to improve water quality in the Chesapeake Bay, salmon streams in the Pacific Northwest, and even to create tiger habitat in Siberia. For more information on their tree planting programs, see below.