#teamtrees, which started as an online challenge in 2019, has partnered with the Arbor Day Foundation to plant trees as part of reforestation efforts around the world. Planting happens primarily in areas affected by wildfires, such as the 2017 Hanceville and Elephant Hill fires in British Columbia and the 2018 Carr and Camp fires in California. It also works to restore treelines along the Mississippi River Delta throughout Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi, and in many similar projects across the country. Globally, the effort has committed to planting nearly one million trees in Nicaragua, more than three million in Africa, more than two million in Africa, and over one million in South America.
If you elect to donate, you can choose any amount of $1 or greater, in increments of $1, and elect to have your name displayed on the #teamtrees website. To date, over eight million trees have been planted, which obviously leaves the vast majority still to come — but by partnering with the Arbor Day Foundation, #teamtrees is able to secure volunteers and workers to continue to plant trees around the globe.
For travelers, this program to plant trees can be a great way to offset the carbon emissions of a recent trip, or get ahead on offsetting your future travels. One tree can absorb about 48 pounds per year, and you can calculate a rough estimate of your offset needed via the calculator at SavingNature.com.
The video below offers a cute take on how it works.
The Biden administration nixed oil and gas leasing in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge this week, The New York Times reported, perhaps ending any hope of drilling in one of America’s largest stretches of protected wilderness. Interior Secretary Deb Haaland paused the leases until a formal environmental review can be conducted along with a review of the legality of the leases granted for drilling in the refuge.
The UK will launch trials to suck carbon directly from the air in what will be among the world’s largest carbon capture programs, The Guardian reported. Trees, peat, rock chips, and charcoal will be used to suck carbon from the air on over 247 acres of land across the country, as part of the country’s plan to reach net-zero emissions by 2050.
Sustainability-focused diving excursions are becoming increasingly common in Key West and along the rest of the Florida Keys. This is demonstrated by Honest Eco and other local tour operators, who focus not only on eco-friendly tours, but on educating their clients about how to visit the Great Florida Reef in the least-harmful way possible. 