14 seconds ago 2009-12-07T20:55:02-08:00
An olive grove in South Africa's Western Cape Province is the unlikely setting for an ambitious environmental and humanitarian project which aims to combat global warming and ease the plight of children born into AIDS-ravaged communities. It has already caught the imagination of environmentally-aware companies and individuals in Europe with its simple and straightforward approach to the global warming issue. Carbon credits are being earned by companies wishing to offset their carbon footprint by an ambitious tree planting programme in the Western Cape and other impoverished and needy areas of southern Africa. The double benefit: an improved environment for everyone, and vastly improved economic prospects for local people.
London, UK (PRWEB) November 14, 2009 -- Climate change campaigners estimate that on average, each personal computer generates two tonnes of carbon every year. Millions of individuals and concerned business people want to find a practical way to reduce their own carbon footprint and contribute something positive to developing countries.
Many climate change campaigners are dismayed at the lack of progress on reaching agreement on anti-global warming strategies ahead of the hugely important Copenhagen conference.
While governments across the world have dithered and put self-interest ahead of urgent action needed to combat global warming, individuals and a growing number of concerned companies have already started taking action.
They are funding the planting of olive trees in a project set up by Carbon Credit Tree Africa, a company formed specifically to help local communities in Africa to make a positive contribution to the worldwide battle against global warming. Carbon Credit Tree Africa is the conduit through which western companies and individuals have channelled their own personal carbon credits to the benefit of the African communities, and, in the long term to the benefit of the whole planet.
Just one of these hardy trees can offset three tonnes of carbon emissions during its lifetime. So for many people the equation is starkly simple: paying for the planting of just one tree can make a significant difference, and give an individual a major carbon credit contribution.
One leading medical equipment company is leading the way in trying to persuade the medical industry to get involved.
Germany based Schaef SystemTechnik GMBH is already a market leader in manufacturing carbon-neutral medical equipment. Its latest product is the world's first carbon-neutral digital radiography panel which will be launched at the Radiological Society of North America's 2009 Assembly in Chicago between November 29 and December 4.
But alongside that product launch, Schaef SystemTechnik will also be asking its potential customers to go the extra mile to combat global warming - not only can the medical profession reduce its carbon footprint with new technology, it can also take the practical step of supporting the Carbon Credit Tree Africa scheme.
Every visitor to Schaef SystemTechnik's stand at RSNA 2009 will be invited to use a carbon calculator to assess the scale of their own carbon footprint, and how many carbon credits they should be seeking to reduce their company's impact on overall global warming.
Schaef SystemTechnik's initial agreement with Carbon Credit Tree Africa consists of the planting and cultivation of 1000 trees and represents a significant investment in the reduction of global warming.
Besides the direct removal of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere during photosynthesis the trees also reduce other types of air pollution, help to recycle water, generate oxygen and control soil erosion.
The planting of trees has long been identified as an effective carbon offsetting strategy and is accepted by the Kyoto Protocol (the primary carbon emissions agreement to United Nations countries) as such.
The ability for a company to purchase carbon credits in this manner has the dual benefit of reducing environmental impact whilst adding to organisation's profile by being associated with such environmentally friendly behaviour.
Carbon Credit Tree Africa has a sustainable business model in absolutely every sense of the word but also seeks to go above and beyond a simple carbon credit trading company.
The trees planted on behalf of environmentally aware businesses around the world not only serve to reduce atmospheric carbon during their lifetime but are also used to further offset emissions once matured, compounding both their benefit to the environment and their value to the customer.
The olive trees planted in the company's Western Cape property in South Africa will, for example, also produce olive oil as a replacement for diesel and biogas burned in place of natural gas.
The choice of tree is also significant - olive trees generally live for between 300 and 600 years, so the benefits provided by planting just one tree will be felt for generations to come.
The company also offsets its own emissions through planting trees as well as providing information on how its customers may cut down on emissions in a number of other ways.
The tree plantations it owns and manages are also designed as safe, healthy habitats where Aids orphans can live and work meaning that any carbon credits purchased through Schaef SystemTechnik will be beneficial in both environmental and humanitarian campaigns.
Notes to Editors:
Held between November 29th and December 4th in Chicago, the RSNA 2009 meeting is the preeminent radiology professional networking and technology presentation event in the world, with over 58,000 attendees last year alone. Along with educational workshops, case study discussions and hands-on training exhibits the meeting is seen by many as the primary medium for the communication of innovative technology Schaef SystemTechnik will be at booth 1832i at RSNA 2009.
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Alan James
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