Carbonify offset program FAQ

Thanks for your interest in Carbonify's tree planting and carbon offset program! If your questions aren't addressed below, please don't hesitate in contacting us.

-- Is tree planting the solution to global warming?
-- How do I estimate my carbon dioxide emissions?
-- Where will the trees be planted?
-- What is the survival rate for the trees?
-- Why is your program so much cheaper than others?
-- How does the Carbonify program benefit communities?
-- Who is Carbonify? Are you a non-profit?
-- What is being done with the profits?
-- Is my contribution tax-deductible?
-- Is this a gold standard offset program?
-- Do I get fridge magnets and bumper stickers?
-- Can I get a total of how many trees I've sponsored?
-- How long does the subscription run for?
-- What is sustainable agroforestry?
-- Can I have trees planted in my country?
-- Is there a contract involved?
-- Can you help me offset my business?

-- Is tree planting the solution to global warming?

No, it's not *the* solution but it is an important part. The very best thing that we all can do is to decrease our carbon dioxide emissions first, then offset what we can't.

The planting of trees is a great way to restore some of the millions of hectares of forests we've destroyed over the last couple of centuries, while providing a natural carbon sink to help soak up the increased carbon dioxide levels in our atmosphere. Trees ingest carbon dioxide and turn it into carbon which is stored in their leaves, branches, trunks and roots.

Help offset your carbon emissions! - click here!

-- How do I estimate my carbon dioxide emissions?

Carbonify provides a free carbon dioxide emissions calculator you are welcome to use, which also estimates the number of trees needed to purchase to offset those emissions. The calculator page also includes notes on how the totals were arrived at so you can see the numbers aren't pulled out of thin air.

It's important to note that the calculations are an estimate; it's incredibly difficult to gauge an accurate carbon emissions figures without very detailed analysis.

-- Where will the trees be planted?

This will change from time to time, but current project we're working with is tree planting and agroforestry education in Senegal, Africa. Senegal is located south of the Sénégal River in western Africa. You can learn more about Senegal and view images of the tree planting program here.

-- What is the survival rate for the trees?

According to the organizations who directly supervise the plantings, it's around 70% after the first year - which is the crucial year.

It's important to bear in mind that carbon sequestration rates in trees can vary greatly - trees can die, be chopped down or destroyed by fire before they've reached their full carbon storage estimate. It's for that reason that the carbon dioxide emissions calculator we use bases the tree offset figure of 5:1; i.e. 5 trees should be planted to help ensure that at least one achieves full carbon sequestration potential, or combined they reach that potential.

Some of the trees are continuously, and sustainably harvested. The people these projects benefit are extremely poor and need the sustained benefit their trees provide; for uses such as building homes and fences. When used for building, the wood from the trees continues to store the carbon and it's usually many years before the tree is old enough for these purposes.

At the same time, the tree population in these projects is always on the increase because the projects are designed to bring about a natural regeneration of indigenous trees - for every tree planted, some 3-4 trees quickly return thanks to the protection these first, "pioneer" trees provide.

Ready to sponsor the purchase tree plantings? Click here!

-- Why is your program so much cheaper than others?

We have tried to make this program as cheap as possible as we realize that not everyone has the disposable income to buy from some of the more glamorous programs around.

We sponsor trees in bulk purchases, prior to subscribers buying for them, so we always have "stock" on hand which also helps to reduce costs.

Our overheads are very low, we don't do much in the way of advertising, we don't offer costly items such as bumper stickers and magnets and the costs of planting trees in Africa are far less than to do so in western countries.

Given that climate change is related to global, not local warming, wherever the trees are planted in the world is of great benefit.

-- How does the Carbonify program benefit communities?

Aside from purchasing the sponsorship of planting of trees, the program helps to provide sustainable agroforestry skills and technology to developing communities. By restoring tree cover to degraded lands, the land becomes fertile again and able to produce crops which helps to preserve traditional livelihoods and cultures for generations to come.

-- Who is Carbonify? Are you a non-profit?

Carbonify was originally started as a personal project of Michael Bloch to help educate himself and others about the dangers of global warming.

Michael has a great passion for trees and has been involved with groups such as Trees For Life in Australia for years and more recently, Trees For The Future. Michael also has another environmentally themed site, Green Living Tips.com. You can learn more about Carbonify and Michael Bloch here

Carbonify works with non-profits for the tree plantings is not a non-profit organization itself. Read on to discover what's being done with any profit made.

-- What is being done with the profits?

Carbonify.com is based in South Australia - a state that's been ravaged by poor agricultural practices. In under 200 years, hundreds of thousands of acres of Mallee scrub (a type of eucalyptus) were cleared for grazing and cropping purposes. Many of these areas now look like a moonscape - limestone litters the surface and salinity has made them desolate.

It's Michael's goal to use any profit generated from the Carbonify project, that is money that's left over after trees have been purchased and associated expenses with running the program; to purchase land in South Australia for preservation and rehabilitation purposes.

A very small section of the land will also be used for small scale sustainable agricultural and renewable energy research; from which Michael will create a new online resource dedicated to those topics.

Your subscription will have three-fold positive effect!

a) The planting of trees in developing communities
b) Education provided to those communities on agroforestry
c) The preservation & rehabilitation of land in South Australia!

Would you like to sponsor trees? Click here!

-- Is my contribution/subscription tax-deductible?

If your subscription is in connection with your business, i.e. you are offsetting business emissions, then yes, it is tax-deductible as a business expense related purchase. Personal subscriptions are unfortunately not.

-- Is this a gold standard offset program?

The Gold Standard ensures that stringent environmental criteria have been met by offset projects that carry its label and are verified by a third party. The Gold Standard applies mainly to renewable energy projects that take the focus away from fossil fuel. As tree planting is not involved with renewable energy, tree planting projects are explicitly excluded by The Gold Standard.

-- Do I get fridge magnets, certificates and bumper stickers?

We keep the price of this service low by not offering these things; you're buying sponsorship of trees, not junk :). We're also conscious that while stickers and magnets are great tools for advertising this service and a way for you to show others you're making an effort to reduce the impact of your carbon footprint, they also burn up resources and create their own environmental issues. Each month, you'll receive an email receipt indicating the number of trees you've sponsored.

-- Can I get a total of how many trees I've sponsored?

For sure! You can get a total of how many trees you've sponsored during your subscription by contacting us. Please include your subscription number - you'll find this on your receipts. You'll also have a record in your PayPal account.

-- How long does the subscription run for?

It's an ongoing subscription, but you can cancel at any time by simply contacting us with your subscription number.

-- What is sustainable agroforestry?

Agroforestry combines agriculture and forestry technologies to create more diverse, productive, profitable, healthy and sustainable land-use. Agroforestry is a series of land use systems and practices in which trees are deliberately integrated with crops and/or animals in the same area.

-- Can I have trees planted in my country?

Currently, Carbonify projects are only occurring in Senegal, Africa, but we are in investigating the possibility of partnerships with providers in other countries such as Canada, the USA and Australia to provide local planting options.

-- Is there a long term contract involved?

No, no contract - you can cancel your subscription at any time. Please note that we do not offer partial month refunds.

Ready to purchase and sponsor trees? - click here

-- Can you help me offset my business?

Yes! We'd love to help you offset your business. Contact Michael for more information.

We hope the above addresses your questions, if your query isn't covered, please don't hesitate in contacting us.