Your Trees
In Brief
The Challenge
Changing the World
Improving Peoples Lives
The Amazing Acacia Senegal
Downloads
In Brief
Every product we sell at iTreecycle results in one tree being planted. Each tree is planted in your name, and you receive an official certificate for each tree planted.
Planting a tree every time you consume something is truly completing the cycle. You are putting something back. With each tree you plant you are making a real difference in the fight against rising CO2 levels.
All the trees you plant improve the lives of local people in the worlds most under developed country Niger, Africa. The tree planting provides local employment and improves the local environment by tackling the desertification caused by climate change.
By choosing iTreecycle to buy the products you regularly use, you can literally plant your own forest and offset all of your own CO2 emissions. In the process you will be helping improve the lives of people in Dosso, Niger.
The Challenge
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Rising temperatures caused by greenhouse gases threaten the survival of our species on this planet. Atmospheric CO2 levels have increased from 280 ppm in 1850, to 380 ppm today. The amount of CO2 we release into the atmosphere each year has doubled since 1970.
Without tackling the rising CO2 levels in the atmosphere, we run the very real risk of losing 1/3 of all animal species, 2/3 of our vegetal life, and the total destruction of tropical rainforests, boreal forests, coral reefs, and mangroves. These changes would seriously undermine our ability to live on this planet.
Sadly 80% of the world’s natural forests have been destroyed by man. Deforestation remains today the single largest source of CO2 emissions, accounting for 20% globally. Yet trees continue to absorb almost 20% of our man made CO2 emissions. They are a vital carbon sink for the earth.
Changing the World
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Your Acacia Senegal tree will reduce CO2 by 500 kg, and with only 16 trees you can completely offset your entire CO2 emissions for 1 year. Together with our customers we have offset over 1 million kilos of CO2.
Your trees are part of a project to grow a giant heart shaped forest of 8 million trees in Niger, Africa. So far over 140 000 trees have been planted. All the trees are planted by our tree planting partner Tree-Nation, and each tree is officially guaranteed by the United Nation Environment Program: Plant for the Planet Billion Tree Campaign.
The Acacia Senegal trees transform the expanding desert caused by climate change. The trees amazing root systems restore the soils fertility and enable the re-establishment of vegetative cover in these climate affected areas.
Trees are an integral part of the earths eco systems. By replanting the world’s forests we can go a long way towards ensuring our species survival on this planet.
Improving Peoples Lives
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According to the United Nations Human Development Index (HDI), Niger has the world’s lowest human development. Out of 182 countries assessed, it ranks at the very bottom in place 182.
It is with this in mind that Niger was chosen as the location of the new forestry park. The impact of a project like this can have a far greater impact on peoples lives than in more developed countries.
Niger has also been subject to increased desertification caused by climate change, thereby further impoverishing the people of Niger. The Acacia Senegal tree is fantastic at reversing the desertification. Its roots bring water from deep underground to revitalize the soils and allow the natural vegetation to return.
The Acacia Senegal trees that we plant produce Arabic Gum that can be harvested each year and sold for the benefit of the local people. The plantation uses agro-forestry methods to allow an increase in local agricultural productivity. Said to be the world’s oldest science, agro-forestry combines the planting of trees with agriculture. The trees provide shelter from the sun, wind, and improved soil conditions.
A permanent team of people takes care of the forestry plantation and nurseries in Dosso, Niger. The team is made up of local people, comprising nurserymen, technicians, an agronomist, a forestry specialist, and a leader.
The Amazing Acacia Senegal
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The trees we plant are called Acacia Senegal, this amazing tree will absorb 500 kg of CO2 in its lifetime, with a large percentage being in its early years while it is growing vigorously. The trees will grow to a height of 15 meters, with a trunk diameter of 30 cm.
The roots of the Acacia Senegal penetrate to a depth of between 30 and 100 meters! It is perfect for desert conditions and will use its long roots to tap into the deep underground water and draw it up to fertilise the surrounding soil.
The Acacia Senegal is more commonly known as Gum Arabic. Its gum has been traded for 2000 years. For local people this incredible tree serves many purposes. One tree can produce almost 7 kg of gum per each year. Its seeds are dried and preserved as a vegetable for people to eat. The leaves and seeds pods are used as fodder for sheep, goats, and camels. The seeds also contain a special fat that is used in medicine and soap making. And its roots are used as a medicine to treat a variety of ailments, including dysentery, gonorrhoea, and nodular leprosy. Fallen branches make an excellent fuel wood, whilst its heartwood is very dark and polishes beautifully. It is used to make all sorts of essential equipment such as agricultural tools, wheels, and carts. Even bees take the nectar from its flowers to make a mildly aromatic amber honey.
Downloads
Tree Photo PDF
Tree Certificate (example) PDF
