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| While working on adopting less polluting behaviours over the longer term, we can also do simple things for the environment right now. ZERØCO2 offers you the opportunity to reduce part or all of your CO2 emissions by planting clusters of trees to create large carbon wells. |
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| Trees absorb CO2 |
| Through photosynthesis and their growth over time, trees draw about 15 times more carbon gas from the atmosphere than they give off by absorbing it with their biomass. However, over the first 15 to 20 years of their growth, the trees absorb even more CO2 through photosynthesis than they release, therefore becoming carbon wells. Once they reach maturity, a balance is reached with the atmosphere and the trees then become carbon reservoirs. |
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The planting of trees therefore represents an effective means to fight climate change because they have the ability to sequester CO2 through photosynthesis. The chlorophyll pigments seen mainly in the leaves capture solar energy used to synthesize the organic material and release oxygen from CO2 and water. All living organisms then use that oxygen for breathing. |
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| One equation. One solution. |
| To absorb a ton of CO2 annually and stop some of that atmospheric pollution, we must count on the growth of three to six trees over a period of 40 years, depending on the species, their growth cycle and where they are located. From this statistic is it easy to see the devastating and exponential effect of human activities on the environment. In fact, a compact car that emits three tons of CO2 in driving an average of 20,000 km a year requires the planting of 18 trees, which will sequester CO2 emissions for about 40 years to overcome these harmful effects. |
| As well as sequestering carbon, trees: |
- Purify the air by removing more than 7,000 dust particles per litre of air, while at the same time absorbing compounds such as nitrogen oxide, sulphur dioxide and by breaking down various noxious compounds into less harmful elements during periods of smog. These dust particles are also the cause of numerous respiratory problems. Carried by the wind, these fine particles attach themselves to the surface of the leaves and are then washed off by the rain;
- Acting as virtual air conditioners by providing shade and reflecting some of the sun’s rays, which would otherwise be absorbed by concrete and asphalt (planted near a home, trees allow windows and walls to be in the shade and can reduce air conditioning costs by 40%). The heat given off by these types of surfaces contributes to increased city temperatures. Tree transpiration also refreshes the urban climate through the humidity they produce;
- Lessening the strength of cold winds in the winter, which can reduce the cost of heating by 10 to 15%;
- Act as a pollution filter for water by capturing nitrogen and other nutrients in their fibres. The runoff of large amounts of water often results in excessive amounts of nutrients and pollutants of all kinds draining into waterways. The water that goes into the ground is filtered by the tree roots, which retain many of these harmful elements. Trees also contribute to slowing erosion caused by water and wind, while ensuring the stability of the soil with its roots;
- Restoring the ecology of contaminated sites, increasing the amount of wildlife habitat and favouring biodiversity, allowing various species to use this new area as a place to feed, reproduce or nest.
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The quality of life benefits that trees provide city dwellers are many. Their presence attenuates noise pollution, while some unpleasant odours can be masked by the smell of leaves and flowers. When planted along roadsides, trees increase pedestrian safety and allow for some traffic control. Of great aesthetic value, green spaces foster social activities by creating areas to relax, to gather and take part in some physical activities.
While encouraging you to sponsor the planting of tree clusters, ZERØCO2 lets you act to lessen the impact of your CO2 emissions. By taking part in the ZEROCO2, plantation program, you will join the ranks of everyone who is already fighting climate change while participating in increasing biodiversity, beautifying the urban landscape and improving the environment.
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