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

1. Environmental Improvement Through Tree Planting and Naturalization:Offsetting CO2 Emissions Version 1.0 Feb 8, 2005

2. This educational CD is sponsored by… • McNeil Consumer Healthcare • (a division of Johnson & Johnson) The makers of TYLENOL* & MOTRIN* products. • and supported by: • Trees For Guelph • The City of Guelph • The Grand River Conservation Authority www.treesforguelph.ca

3. Purpose • The purpose of this CD is to provide the framework for educators, students, businesses and citizens to help to environmentally improve the communities in which we live and work through the Environmental Hierarchy Tools (Conserve, Prevent, Reduce, Replenish and Offset). • TYLENOL* & MOTRIN* are trademarks of Johnson & Johnson.

4. Table 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

5. Learning Objectives • To understand the concepts of global warming, carbon offsetting, carbon calculators and ecological footprinting • To recognize our individual and collective contribution to atmospheric carbon dioxide emissions and global warming, and to provide ways for users to quantify their contributions. • To foster in users a sense of caring and responsibility for the environment and to provide opportunities for area residents to make a difference through partnering with Trees For Guelph (TFG).

6. Learning Objectives cont’d • To present and promote the organization Trees For Guelph, and its programs. • To encourage volunteering and community development among all residents of the City of Guelph. • To highlight the McNeil Consumer Healthcare (MCH) case study as an example of what can be, and has been, 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.

7. We’ve all heard the terms, but what do they really mean?... What is the greenhouse effect? What is global warming? What are greenhouse gases? What is an ecological footprint? What can I do about these things? This CD will answer these questions and provide ways to do something about the problems with which they are associated

8. Module 1 ECOLOGICAL FOOTPRINTING

9. Module 1 Ecological Footprinting:What is it? The concept of ecological footprinting was first developed by Dr. William Rees and Mathis Wackernagel of the University of British Columbia An ecological footprint (EF) is the area of land required to provide the resources that an individual or community consumes, and absorb the waste that is generated. It is a measurement of our use of nature. http://www.racerocks.com/ensy/syllabus/ensybooklet2/booklet2.htm

10. Module 1 Ecological Footprinting:What is it? The concept of ecological footprinting considers your environmental impacts to land, water and air through waste, energy, goods, food, transportation and support services. Understanding your impacts and measuring your results in areas of reducing, reusing, recycling, refusing, eliminating, conserving, offsetting, replenishing and sustaining are key elements in determining your footprint. http://www.racerocks.com/ensy/syllabus/ensybooklet2/booklet2.htm

11. Module 1: Ecological Footprinting Ecological Footprint Averages from Around the World Canada Spain Ethiopia Actual: 0.8 hectares/person Available: 0.5 ha/person Deficit: 0.3 ha/person Actual: 3.8 ha/person Available: 2.2 ha/person Deficit: 1.6 ha/person Actual: 7.7 ha/person Available: 9.6 ha/person 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.

12. Module 1: Ecological Footprinting World Average World 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. Actual: 2.8 ha/person Available: 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.

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

14. Module 1: Ecological Footprinting If you looked at the list of footprints of other nations consider these questions: • How does Canada rank compared to other countries? • Why do you think our footprint is so big? • Do you think it is okay for our footprint to be so big? • Why does Canada have such a big footprint but still does not run a deficit?

15. Module 1: Ecological Footprinting What is your personal ecological footprint? 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. • Earthday Network: http://www.earthday.net/footprint/info.asp • 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/

16. Module 1: Ecological Footprinting 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?

17. Module 2 ECOLOGICAL FOOTPRINTING AND CARBON EMISSIONS: THE CONNECTION

18. Module 2 Ecological Footprinting and Carbon Emissions:What is the connection? To answer this question, let’s look at some definitions… Fossil fuels Coal, 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.energyquest.ca.gov/story/images/chap08_coal_on_fire.jpg www.nature.com/nsu/ 031027/031027-3.html

19. Module 2: Ecological Footprinting and Carbon Emissions Definitions continued… Renewable Resources Renewable resources are those that replenish or “renew” themselves and will therefore never run out. They include wind, sun and water. http://craig.dynup.net/photography/hawaii2002/08_windfarm.jpg http://www.akeena.net/images/92kwSanJose.gif Non-Renewable Resources Non 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.

20. Module 2: Ecological Footprinting and Carbon Emissions Definitions continued… Greenhouse gasses Gasses 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 The greenhouse gasses in the atmosphere reemit some of the reflected radiation back to Earth Some radiation is reflected back

21. Module 2: Ecological Footprinting and Carbon Emissions Definitions continued… Greenhouse effect The 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. Sunlight is allowed to pass through the glass or plastic 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 Some of the heat passes back out through the glass or plastic http://www.idwr.state.id.us/energy/alternative_fuels/geothermal/greenhouse.jpg

22. Module 2: Ecological Footprinting and Carbon Emissions Definitions continued… Global warming Global 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. Warmer temperatures will increase the range of disease carrying insects http://www.cs.uu.nl/people/marco/fire.gif http://www.iranparadise.com/Itineraries/ IMAGES/Iran-DESERT%202.JPG http://untruenews.com/unimages/melting_glacier.jpg 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

23. Module 2: Ecological Footprinting and Carbon Emissions Definitions continued… 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: 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 Driving, especially in vehicles that require a lot of gas to operate, contributes to C02 emissions

24. Module 2: Ecological Footprinting and Carbon Emissions 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

25. So, what can we do about it?

26. Module 3 REDUCING CO2 EMISSIONS

27. Module 3 Reducing CO2 Emissions 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. Carbon dioxide

28. Module 3: Reducing CO2 Emissions How can reduction be achieved? Some easy ways: http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/safety/ vehicle/images/bike-cars-redsignal2.jpg http://www.energy.iastate.edu/efficiency /images/house.jpg Drive less and take alternative modes of transportation Demand sources of renewable energy Demand and use better public transportation Make homes more energy efficient so they require less energy to heat and cool

29. Once we have reduced our CO2 emissions as much as possible, is there anything else we can do? YES!...

30. Module 4: Tree Planting and Carbon Sequestration … Plant Trees!

31. Module 4 TREE PLANTING AND CARBON SEQUESTRATION

32. Module 4: Tree Planting and Carbon Sequestration 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 atmosphere As the roots of trees and other vegetation improve the soil around them, more carbon dioxide is stored in the soil as well

33. Module 4: Tree Planting and Carbon Sequestration How does planting trees help? This ability of trees to store carbon is called: Carbon Sequestration and they do it through photosynthesis

34. Module 4: Tree Planting and Carbon Sequestration How does planting trees help? Carbon offsetting 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!

35. Module 4: Tree Planting and Carbon Sequestration How does planting trees help? Carbon Emissions Carbon Uptake per Tree ÷ Number of Trees to Plant = This is an oversimplification but it gives you an idea of how planting trees can help reduce carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

36. Module 4: Tree Planting and Carbon Sequestration 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 Native meadow wildflowers

37. Module 4: Tree Planting and Carbon Sequestration 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! www.nenature.com/ FreePhotos/WColumbine.htm http://www.delawarewildflowers.org/verbena_hastata.jpg http://hflp.sdstate.edu/ho311/outdoor_images/Echinacea-purpurea-close.JPG http://www.chesapeakenatives.com/AsclepiasTuberosusThumb.jpg

38. Module 4: Tree Planting and Carbon Sequestration 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. Photo by Heather Martin 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.

39. Module 4: Tree Planting and Carbon Sequestration 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…

40. Module 4: Tree Planting and Carbon Sequestration …REDUCE our carbon dioxide emissions in the first place!

41. Module 5 TREES FOR GUELPH

42. What is? Module 5: Trees For Guelph • Non-profit community group that has been organizing environmental improvement projects in Guelph since 1990. • TFG’s mandate is to improve the quality of life in Guelph by enhancing the urban forest. • TFG works with volunteers including students, industry and other community groups to plant trees and shrubs around the city.

43. Module 5: Trees For Guelph TFG Accomplishments Since 1991 thousands of volunteers have planted well over 75 000 trees in Guelph TFG photo TFG photo TFG photo

44. Module 5: Trees For Guelph TFG Accomplishments Over 3500 elementary students have planted over 1200 trees and shrubs since 1991 in schoolyard naturalization projects TFG photo TFG photo TFG photo TFG photo

45. Module 5: Trees For Guelph How 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 Jaason President Trees For Guelph Email: hjaason@sympatico.ca Home Phone: 519-821-3791

46. Module 6 McNeil Consumer Healthcare Case Study

47. Module 6: McNeil Consumer Healthcare Case Study How 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…

48. Module 6: McNeil Consumer Healthcare Case Study McNeil Consumer Healthcare Case Study In 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.

49. Module 6: McNeil Consumer Healthcare Case Study 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.

50. Module 6: McNeil Consumer Healthcare Case Study 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.