Environmental Improvement Through Tree Planting and Naturalization: Offsetting CO 2 Emissions...

Environmental Improvement Through Environmental Improvement Through Tree Planting and Naturalization:Tree Planting and Naturalization:

Offsetting COOffsetting CO22 Emissions Emissions

Version 1.0

Feb 8, 2005

The makers of TYLENOL* & MOTRIN* products.

This educational CD is sponsored by…This educational CD is sponsored by…

McNeil Consumer Healthcare McNeil Consumer Healthcare (a division of (a division of Johnson & JohnsonJohnson & Johnson))

and supported by:and supported by:• Trees For GuelphTrees For Guelph

• The City of GuelphThe City of Guelph• The Grand River Conservation AuthorityThe Grand River Conservation Authority

www.treesforguelph.cawww.treesforguelph.ca

The purpose of this CD is to provide the framework for educators, The purpose of this CD is to provide the framework for educators, students, businesses and citizens to help to environmentally improve students, businesses and citizens to help to environmentally improve the communities in which we live and work through the the communities in which we live and work through the Environmental Hierarchy Tools (Conserve, Prevent, Reduce, Environmental Hierarchy Tools (Conserve, Prevent, Reduce, Replenish and Offset).Replenish and Offset).

TYLENOL* & MOTRIN* are trademarks of TYLENOL* & MOTRIN* are trademarks of Johnson & JohnsonJohnson & Johnson. .

PurposePurpose

Table of ContentsTable of Contents

Introduction: Learning Objectives

Module 1: Ecological Footprinting

Module 2: Ecological Footprinting and Carbon Emissions: The Connection

Module 3: Reducing our C02 Emissions

Module 4: Tree Planting and Carbon Sequestration

Module 5: Trees For Guelph

Module 6: McNeil Consumer Healthcare Case Study

Module 7: Partnering with Trees For Guelph

Learning ObjectivesLearning Objectives To understand the concepts of global warming, carbon To understand the concepts of global warming, carbon

offsetting, carbon calculators and ecological footprinting offsetting, carbon calculators and ecological footprinting

To recognize our individual and collective contribution to To recognize our individual and collective contribution to atmospheric carbon dioxide emissions and global atmospheric carbon dioxide emissions and global warming, and to provide ways for users to quantify their warming, and to provide ways for users to quantify their contributions.contributions.

To foster in users a sense of caring and responsibility for To foster in users a sense of caring and responsibility for the environment and to provide opportunities for area the environment and to provide opportunities for area residents to make a difference through partnering with residents to make a difference through partnering with Trees For Guelph (TFG).Trees For Guelph (TFG).

Learning Objectives Learning Objectives cont’dcont’d

To present and promote the organization Trees For To present and promote the organization Trees For Guelph, and its programs.Guelph, and its programs.

To encourage volunteering and community development To encourage volunteering and community development among all residents of the City of Guelph. among all residents of the City of Guelph.

To highlight the McNeil Consumer Healthcare (MCH) To highlight the McNeil Consumer Healthcare (MCH) case study as an example of what can be, and has been, case study as an example of what can be, and has been, done.done.

The modules in this CD include links to websites for additional information and exercises. TFG does not guarantee the accuracy of the information contained on these websites.

We’ve all heard the terms, but what do they really mean?...

What is global warming?

What is global warming?

What is an ecological footprint?What is an ecological footprint?

What are greenhouse gases?What are greenhouse gases?

This CD will answer these questions and provide ways to do something about the problems with which they are associated

What is the greenhouse effect?

What is the greenhouse effect?

What can I do about these things?What can I do about these things?

ECOLOGICAL FOOTPRINTINGECOLOGICAL FOOTPRINTING

Module 1

Ecological Footprinting:Ecological Footprinting:What is it?What is it?

Module 1

The concept of The concept of ecological ecological footprinting was footprinting was first developed by first developed by Dr. William Rees Dr. William Rees and Mathis and Mathis Wackernagel of Wackernagel of the University of the University of

British ColumbiaBritish Columbia

An ecological An ecological footprint (EF) is the footprint (EF) is the area of land required area of land required to provide the to provide the resources that an resources that an individual or individual or community community consumes, and consumes, and absorb the waste absorb the waste that is generated. It that is generated. It is a measurement of is a measurement of our use of nature.our use of nature.

http://www.racerocks.com/ensy/syllabus/ensybooklet2/booklet2.htm

Ecological Footprinting:Ecological Footprinting:What is it?What is it?

Module 1

The concept of The concept of ecological ecological footprinting footprinting considers your considers your environmental environmental impacts to land, impacts to land, water and air water and air through waste, through waste, energy, goods, energy, goods, food, food, transportation and transportation and support services.support services.

Understanding your Understanding your impacts and impacts and measuring your results measuring your results in areas of reducing, in areas of reducing, reusing, recycling, reusing, recycling, refusing, eliminating, refusing, eliminating, conserving, offsetting, conserving, offsetting, replenishing and replenishing and sustaining are key sustaining are key elements in elements in determining your determining your footprint.footprint.

http://www.racerocks.com/ensy/syllabus/ensybooklet2/booklet2.htm

Actual: 0.8 hectares/personAvailable: 0.5 ha/personDeficit: 0.3 ha/person

Ecological Footprint Averages from Ecological Footprint Averages from Around the WorldAround the World


Actual: 3.8 ha/personAvailable: 2.2 ha/personDeficit: 1.6 ha/person Actual: 7.7 ha/person

Available: 9.6 ha/person

Ethiopia

Spain

Canada

As you can see, some countries consume more ecological resources than they have available to them within their boundaries. This means that they run an ecological deficit and must either use the resources of another country or deplete their own stocks.

World AverageWorld Average


Actual: 2.8 ha/personAvailable: 2.1 ha/person

If everybody on Earth had a footprint the size of the average Canadian, we would need almost 4 Earths to supply us with everything we buy, use, or eat, and to take care of all of our waste.

The world as a whole is running an ecological deficit. This means that, while Canada may not be consuming more resources than are available to it, we are still contributing to the overall deficit because our footprint is much higher than the world average.

World

To see the footprints of most nations click on: http://www.ecouncil.ac.cr/rio/focus/report/english/footprint/ranking.htm


If you looked at the list of footprints of other nations consider these questions:

How does Canada rank compared to other How does Canada rank compared to other countries? countries?

Why do you think our footprint is so big? Why do you think our footprint is so big?

Do you think it is okay for our footprint to be so Do you think it is okay for our footprint to be so big?big?

Why does Canada have such a big footprint but Why does Canada have such a big footprint but still does not run a deficit?still does not run a deficit?

What is your personal ecological What is your personal ecological footprint?footprint?


• Earthday Network: http://www.earthday.net/footprint/info.asp

Click on one of the following links to take a test that will determine the size of your ecological footprint. Compare it to the footprints provided earlier.

• City of Toronto: http://www.city.toronto.on.ca/footprint/calc_fp.htm

• Stanley Park Ecology Society Calculator: http://learn.islandwood.org/footprint/how.htm

• American Forests Climate Change Calculator: http://www.americanforests.org/resources/ccc/

• SafeClimate Calculator: http://www.safeclimate.net/calculator/


If you took a few different tests, were the outcomes different? Why do you think this might be so? What kinds of questions did each test ask you? Were some tests more comprehensive than others while others were more basic?

ECOLOGICAL FOOTPRINTING ECOLOGICAL FOOTPRINTING AND CARBON EMISSIONS:AND CARBON EMISSIONS:

Module 2

THE CONNECTIONTHE CONNECTION

Ecological Footprinting and Ecological Footprinting and Carbon Emissions:Carbon Emissions:

What is the connection?What is the connection?

Module 2

To answer this question, let’s look at some definitions…

Fossil fuelsCoal, natural gas and oil are fossil fuels. They are called ‘fossil’ fuels because they were formed before the dinosaurs lived, and are actually composed of partially decayed animal and plant matter which contains carbon. Humans burn them for energy and they are non-renewable resources.

http://www.ghgonline.org/images/co2oilshale.jpg www.nature.com/nsu/ 031027/031027-3.html www.energyquest.ca.gov/story/images/chap08_coal_on_fire.jpg

Module 2: Ecological Footprinting and Carbon Emissions

Renewable ResourcesRenewable resources are those that replenish or “renew” themselves and will therefore never run out. They include wind, sun and water.

Definitions continued…

Non-Renewable ResourcesNon renewable resources are those that have a finite supply and will someday run out. As you will remember from the previous slide, coal, oil and gas are all non-renewable.

http://craig.dynup.net/photography/hawaii2002/08_windfarm.jpghttp://www.akeena.net/images/92kwSanJose.gif


Greenhouse gassesGasses in the atmosphere that trap heat close to the Earth and don’t let it escape are called greenhouse gasses. We need some greenhouse gasses to keep the Earth warm enough for life to survive, but, as you will see, too much is not a good thing.

This is the Earth’s atmosphere, much of which is

composed of greenhouse gases

Solar radiation reaches the Earth’s surface Some

radiation is reflected back

The greenhouse gasses in the atmosphere reemit some of the reflected radiation back to Earth



Greenhouse effectThe greenhouse effect is the natural warming of the Earth. You should remember from an earlier slide that it is caused by the trapping of heat close to the Earth’s surface by greenhouse gasses in the atmosphere. It works just like a greenhouse in which we grow plants, hence the name.

In a greenhouse the glass or plastic traps some of the heat in, just like the greenhouse gasses of the Earth’s atmosphere trap heat close to the Earth

Sunlight is allowed to pass through the glass or plastic

Some of the heat passes back out through the glass or plastic


http://www.idwr.state.id.us/energy/alternative_fuels/geothermal/greenhouse.jpg


Global warmingGlobal warming is the increase of the Earth’s average temperature. The Earth has undergone periods of natural global warming and cooling since its creation, but scientists believe that the global warming that is occurring now is partly a result of human activity, and is happening too quickly and too intensely. It is leading to climatic change which can have serious consequences for all life on Earth.

Global warming causes glaciers and icecaps to melt, which leads to higher ocean levels and coastal flooding

Warming of the Earth’s temperatures also causes desertification, or the expansion of deserts, which are less productive for agriculture

Hotter temperatures lead to natural disasters like forest fires, drought and heat waves

Warmer temperatures will increase the range of disease carrying insects


http://untruenews.com/unimages/melting_glacier.jpg

http://www.cs.uu.nl/people/marco/fire.gifhttp://www.iranparadise.com/Itineraries/IMAGES/Iran-DESERT%202.JPG


Carbon dioxide (CO2)Carbon dioxide is an example of a greenhouse gas. It is important because human beings have significantly increased the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere through the burning of fossil fuels, which releases stored up carbon.

Some examples:


Driving, especially in vehicles that require a lot of gas to operate, contributes to C02 emissions

Electricity is sometimes, but not always, produced by coal, gas or oil fired generating plants which burn fossil fuels and therefore emit CO2.

http://www.pdphoto.org/PictureDetail.php?mat=pdef&pg=7228


As you may have guessed or noticed from taking some of the tests, a person’s use of energy is part of their ecological footprint. This is the connection between EF’s and carbon emissions. Other ways that we directly or indirectly consume energy, and therefore contribute to CO2 emissions:

Eating food that was imported from far away

Buying or using manufactured products

So, what can we do about it?So, what can we do about it?

REDUCING COREDUCING CO22 EMISSIONS EMISSIONS

Module 3

Reducing COReducing CO22 Emissions Emissions Module 3

The most obvious thing we can do to help stop global warming is to decrease our greenhouse gas emissions. Since carbon dioxide is one of the worst greenhouse gasses, and since we produce so much of it, we can target it for reduction.

How can reduction be achieved?How can reduction be achieved?

Module 3: Reducing CO2 Emissions

Make homes more energy efficient so they require less energy to heat and cool

Drive less and take alternative modes of transportation

Demand sources of renewable energy

Demand and use better public transportation

Some easy ways:

http://www.energy.iastate.edu/efficiency/images/house.jpg

http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/safety/vehicle/images/bike-cars-redsignal2.jpg

Once we have reduced our COOnce we have reduced our CO22

emissions as much as possible, is emissions as much as possible, is there anything else we can do?there anything else we can do?

YES!...

……


TREE PLANTINGTREE PLANTING

Module 4

CARBON SEQUESTRATIONCARBON SEQUESTRATION

AND

What can we do about the problem?What can we do about the problem?

How does planting trees help?CO2 CO2

Trees and other vegetation store carbon dioxide in their tissues, including the wood, leaves and roots, thereby removing it from the atmosphereAs the roots of trees

and other vegetation improve the soil around them, more carbon dioxide is stored in the soil as well


How does planting trees help?This ability of trees to store carbon is called:

and they do it through


How does planting trees help?

Carbon offsetting, in this context, is the term used to describe projects that attempt to displace carbon dioxide from the atmosphere by sequestering it in the tissues of trees. Carbon offsetting can be achieved simply by planting trees!


How does planting trees help?

This is an oversimplification but it gives you an idea of how planting trees can help reduce carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.


Carbon Emissions ÷

Carbon Uptake per Tree

=Number of

Trees to Plant

Are trees the only plants that sequester CO2?

No, other kinds of plants can help sequester CO2 as well. One group of plants that we should also think about planting is


Not only do native meadow wildflowers sequester CO2, but they provide wildlife habitat and are very beautiful additions to any garden, city boulevard, or park!


http://hflp.sdstate.edu/ho311/outdoor_images/Echinacea-purpurea-close.JPG

http://www.chesapeakenatives.com/AsclepiasTuberosusThumb.jpg

http://www.delawarewildflowers.org/verbena_hastata.jpg

www.nenature.com/ FreePhotos/WColumbine.htm

Native meadow wildflowers are so important that the City of Guelph, together with Trees For Guelph and local industry Blount Canada, are working to convert a 1 km long stretch of manicured grass to a naturalized meadow.


When the project is complete, an area that once required regular maintenance in the form of mowing, weed control and fertilizing, will take care of itself. This means cost savings for the City of Guelph.

Photo by Heather Martin

Limitations of Tree Planting as a Way to Offset Carbon Emissions

Unfortunately, humans produce so much carbon dioxide that it is not humanly possible to plant all the trees required to offset all our emissions. There is not enough land on Earth to accommodate all the trees, and even if there was, not all of Earth should be forested! We also need grasslands, wetlands, deserts, agricultural land etc.

What this means is that we must…


…REDUCE our carbon dioxide emissions in the first place!


TREES FOR GUELPHTREES FOR GUELPH

Module 5

What isWhat is ??

Non-profit community group that has been Non-profit community group that has been organizing environmental improvement projects in organizing environmental improvement projects in Guelph since 1990. Guelph since 1990.

TFG’s mandate is to improve the quality of life in TFG’s mandate is to improve the quality of life in Guelph by enhancing the urban forest.Guelph by enhancing the urban forest.

TFG works with volunteers including students, TFG works with volunteers including students, industry and other community groups to plant trees industry and other community groups to plant trees and shrubs around the city.and shrubs around the city.


TFG TFG AccomplishmentsAccomplishmentsSince 1991 thousands of volunteers have planted well over 75 000 trees in Guelph


TFG photo

TFG photo

TFG photo

TFG TFG AccomplishmentsAccomplishmentsOver 3500 elementary students have planted over 1200 trees and shrubs since 1991 in schoolyard naturalization projects


TFG photo

TFG photo

TFG photo

TFG photo

How Students Can Get InvolvedHow Students Can Get Involved


If your class is interested in participating in a tree planting program with Trees For Guelph, we can help you get started. Just contact:

Mr. Heiti JaasonPresidentTrees For GuelphEmail: [email protected] Phone: 519-821-3791

Module 6

McNeil Consumer HealthcareMcNeil Consumer HealthcareCase StudyCase Study

How Industry Can Get InvolvedHow Industry Can Get Involved

To get an idea of how industry can get involved, let’s look at the case study of McNeil Consumer Healthcare in Guelph…


McNeil Consumer Healthcare Case StudyIn 1999 one Guelph industry and employer, McNeil Consumer Healthcare (MCH), a Johnson and Johnson Company, embarked on an ambitious, but totally attainable, multi-phase initiative that they called “Mapping our Environmental Footprint”. The goal was to reduce the company’s carbon dioxide emissions 7% below 1990 levels by 2010, a goal in line with the Kyoto Protocol’s targets.


The first phase of the program was to find ways to OFFSET the company’s CO2 emissions resulting from the burning of fossil fuels such as natural gas and coal. In 1999 and 2000 MCH managed complete facility neutrality, or a 100% offset, and in 2001 they achieved a 51% offset. These offsets were achieved through an annual tree planting program which MCH undertook in partnership with Trees For Guelph.

The company received the Dr. Peter N. Britton Award, one of the J&J Worldwide Environmental Awards for Excellence in Leadership, for the tree planting/carbon offset program.


In 2001 McNeil took steps to REDUCE its CO2 emissions by making changes to their transportation program. As a result of a transportation census, all company fleet vehicles were converted to 10% ethanol-based fuels, and gas guzzling sport utility vehicles (SUVs) were eliminated.

In 2002 it was recognized that employees driving to work also indirectly contributed to the company’s carbon emissions. An employee incentive and awareness program was undertaken to encourage employees to purchase ethanol-based fuels for their private vehicles.


Water Air Land Resource consumption – City water usage reduced 42% while production tripled 1990 –2000, results in a cumulative 48% water use reduction and avoidance. Resource consumption – 80 % implementation of water use best practices guidelines for water use reduction (2001-2010). Resource consumption – increased the site naturalized areas and eliminated lawn watering. Resource consumption – Leak detection, preventative maintenance, low flow devices, administrative controls and employee awareness.

Resource consumption - Hydro usage reduction of 22% while production tripled 1990 –2000 Use trends continue down. Resource consumption – Electrical Natural gas 99 7872 kwh 1071 m3 00 7766 kwh 1014 m3 01 7628 kwh 968 m3 02 7170 kwh 964 m3 03 7770 kwh 964 m3 Resource consumption - Actively follow alternate source technologies. Resource consumption – 90 % implementation of Energy Star best practices guidelines for hydro use reduction (2001-2010).

Landfill avoidance – mapping of all waste streams has led to 78% recycled waste annually. Landfill Avoidance - All materials in our products are recyclable and we are supportive of Provincial recycling programs. Landfill avoidance – office paper consumption reduced from 22 tons in 2000 to 6 tons in 2003 = 73% reduction. Landfill avoidance – All batteries, fluorescent bulbs, electronic equipment, printer cartridges sent for regulated destruction.

Water contamination prevention – backflow prevention devices installed fully throughout site Wastewater contamination – wastewater discharges monitored using local bylaw limits (BOD, SS, COD)

CO2 Calculators- Measure and calculate the impacts of energy, gas, and transportation are in use. Our Quest for Environmental Neutrality. Additional calculators will relate all performance indicators to the quantity CO2 reduced.

Landfill avoidance – Reusable pallets, bulk containers and reduction of one-use containers. Watershed erosion – 60,000 trees planted in the city of Guelph through Trees for Guelph and GRCA.

More statistics about McNeil Consumer Healthcare’s successes:

• Immediate 11.2% reduction in CO2 emissions was achieved upon switching to ethanol-based fuels. This works out to 10 150 pounds of CO2 avoided in the first 3 months!

• 47 000 pounds of CO2 were avoided by eliminating SUV fleet vehicles!

• MCH achieved 25% REDUCTION in energy consumption and 42% REDUCTION in water usage BEFORE the carbon offset program was implemented!

• During the first 8 weeks of the employee incentive/awareness program, 10 000 pounds of CO2 emissions were avoided when 40% of employees participated!But, McNeil’s initiative to reduce CO2

emissions didn’t just benefit the environment…


…it also benefited the shareholders!

• For every SUV that was eliminated and replaced with a smaller vehicle, $1800 was saved due to improved fuel efficiency! • A one-time vehicle surcharge of $5200 was avoided!

Studies have shown that many consumers, if given a choice, would prefer to buy products from a company that has demonstrated environmental responsibility. Attention to environmental performance can positively affect stock value.


But that’s not all McNeil did!


Once McNeil Consumer Healthcare had figured out how they could reduce their greenhouse gas emissions as much as possible, they wanted to do something about the remaining emissions. So they…

……


Remember the simplified equation we used back in Module 4?

Let’s say we have calculated that our carbon emissions are 2500 kg/year. If we know that the average tree planted in an urban environment sequesters 200 kg of carbon over its entire life (average 80 years), then we can calculate how many trees we need to plant to offset our emissions for that year:

2500 kg/yr200 kg C/tree

= 12.5 trees


But how would an industry know how many kilograms or tonnes of carbon dioxide they are producing each year? They would need a calculator like the ones used in Module 1 to calculate a person’s ecological footprint.

Find out how much natural gas and electricity Find out how much natural gas and electricity you are using and try the calculator McNeil usedyou are using and try the calculator McNeil usedat the end of the slide show!at the end of the slide show!

Luckily there’s one available!


McNeil Consumer Healthcare used a calculator that the Tree Canada Foundation developed to determine how much carbon dioxide they were producing.

Once McNeil Consumer Healthcare had calculated how much carbon dioxide they emitted, and how many trees they needed to plant to offset those emissions, they paid Trees For Guelph to plant them.

Trees For Guelph then planted the trees with the help of thousands of primary and high school students from around the city. Some were planted on McNeil property but most were planted in schoolyards and parks around Guelph.


Module 7

PARTNERING WITHPARTNERING WITH

TREES FOR GUELPHTREES FOR GUELPH

How you can get involved

If your business or class is interested in initiating or participating in a program similar to the one that McNeil Consumer Healthcare undertook, just contact Trees for Guelph and we can help you get started.

Contact Info:

Email: [email protected]


How you can get involved

Ideally the way it works is interested industries look at the carbon dioxide emissions from all sources (production and transportation) and do as much as they can to reduce their existing emissions first. Remember, offsetting emissions should only be the second priority, behind reduction.

After reduction has been achieved, the number of trees needed to offset the remaining emissions is calculated. Then, the interested businesses pay for these trees to be planted. They could be planted on the business’ property or elsewhere. Ideally employees and managers of the business would participate in the planting, but school groups also do much of the planting.


Links and ResourcesLinks and Resources

For EducatorsFor Educators

More about urban and ecological footprints: More about urban and ecological footprints: http://http://

www.gdrc.org/uem/footprintswww.gdrc.org/uem/footprints//

For Families

David Suzuki Foundation Nature Challenge Challenge

http://http://www.davidsuzuki.orgwww.davidsuzuki.org/WOL/Challenge//WOL/Challenge/

For Community GroupsFor Community Groups

Ontario Trillium Foundation provides grants to help build healthy, strong and Ontario Trillium Foundation provides grants to help build healthy, strong and economically viable communities:economically viable communities:

http://http://www.trilliumfoundation.orgwww.trilliumfoundation.org

Try the carbon calculator to see how many trees you should be planting!

At the end of the show, scroll down to the last slide and double click on the spaces provided to enter the amount of natural gas and electricity consumed at your school, home or place of work.

Environmental Improvement Through Tree Planting and Naturalization: Offsetting CO 2 Emissions...

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