Tuesday, February 12, 2008

Ecosystem Restoration: The Other Strategy for Climate Change

Beyond recycling and reducing/reusing, there is a third R in the sustainability picture: restoration. Here's a look at how forward-thinking organizations can gain by helping make things green again.
By Robert Falls, Ph.D., R.P.Bio.

While reduced burning of fossil fuels is the most common answer to rising levels of heat-trapping carbon dioxide (CO₂) in our atmosphere, there is another, longer term remedy that is gaining ground in the public view and business world: the restoration of destroyed and degraded ecosystems.

This fundamental strategy for addressing climate change is founded on a simple premise: While cutting use of fossil fuels will reduce CO₂ emissions into the atmosphere, the only viable way to remove CO₂ from the atmosphere is through photosynthesis, which occurs in plant life.

Since the industrial revolution, almost 500 billion tonnes of CO₂ have been released into the atmosphere from destroyed and degraded ecosystems. Getting it "back to earth" through ecosystem restoration projects represents a huge opportunity.

How huge? Recent estimates suggest that in Canada alone we can remove tens of millions of tonnes of CO₂ from the atmosphere annually by restoring degraded forest ecosystems. Because trees are the most powerful concentrators of carbon on earth, a hectare of healthy forest can remove all of the CO₂ from a column of air rising 1.4 kilometres into the atmosphere. (Source: Greenspirit website: The Forest and Carbon Fixing - Some Stunning Figures â€“ January 2004.)

We know that the impact of climate change stands to be very long-term in nature, spanning many decades, if not centuries. We also know that functional forests and other ecosystems are the most manageable, cost-effective and therefore viable way of removing CO₂ in the centuries ahead.

While ecosystem restoration is not a substitute for energy efficiency, fuel switching, technology transfer or conservation measures, it must be seen as an essential element of any comprehensive approach to reversing climate change.

In addition to the positive impact it has on atmospheric CO₂, ecosystem restoration offers a number of ecological and economic benefits.

Ecological benefits:

Riparian (riverside ecosystem) restoration and improved storm-water management.
Fish and wildlife habitat enhancement.
Native biodiversity restoration.
Invasive species removal and endangered species refugia.

Economic benefits:

The foundations of a restoration economy will have positive effects on education and employment.
Organizations that support ecosystem restoration through the carbon offset market. will help increase carbon market intelligence and encourage cost-effective offset transactions.
Organizations become environmentally credible and can help shape sensible public policy.
Intelligent offset investments can prepare organizations for regulatory developments.

According to IPCC climate scientists, some 33% of the human contribution to climate change throughout history can be attributed to deforestation and land use change.

Surely it makes good sense to restore the majestic forests and other ecosystems that once covered our landscapes-oxygen-generating ecosystems that will support a myriad of life forms, while re-capturing vast tonnages of the CO₂ that continue to be released through human activity.

Robert Falls is CEO of ERA Ecosystem Restoration Associates Inc.

Ecosystem Restoration: The Other Strategy for Climate Change
posted by EcoNeutral on Tuesday, February 12, 2008

Tuesday, December 04, 2007

ERA Ecosystem Restoration Associates Touches down in Hawaii

KAMEHAMEHA SCHOOLS

ERA will begin work in 2008 to estimate the operational carbon footprint for Hawaii's Kamehameha Schools and assess the sequestration capability for the Bernice Pauahi Bishop Estate.

Kamehameha Schools, formerly called Kamehameha Schools/Bishop Estate, is a private co-educational college preparatory institution in Hawaii, with three campuses in Kapa'lama (Oahu), Pukalani (Maui), and Kea'au. Statewide, Kamehameha serves over 6,500 students from preschool through the twelfth grade. Kamehameha Schools was established in 1887 under the terms of the last will and testament of Bernice Pauahi Bishop, a direct descendant of Kamehameha the Great and last of the House of Kamehameha. Bishop's will established a trust currently called the Bernice Pauahi Bishop Estate, the largest private landowner in the State of Hawaii. Income from the trust is used to operate the schools.

Kamehameha Schools is a dynamic and nurturing learning community committed to educational excellence and assisting people of Hawaiian ancestry to achieve their highest potential as "good and industrious men and women."

ERA Ecosystem Restoration Associates Touches down in Hawaii
posted by EcoNeutral on Tuesday, December 04, 2007

Saturday, November 24, 2007

Aliens (and Film Makers) Leave No Footprints!

First indie film produced in B.C. to go carbon neutral!

Alien Trespass

A feature film by Producer/Director Robert W. Goodwin
Written and produced by James Swift

The film, starring Eric McCormack, Jenni Baird, Robert Patrick and Dan Lauria,
completed production in Vancouver, B.C. this fall and is set for release in 2008.

Ghota Films Ltd. partnered with ERA and EcoNeutral Entertainment to offset the estimated carbon emissions linked to all air travel, vehicle use and power consumption directly associated with the production of Alien Trespass. Funds spent on offsets go to the repair and healing of forest ecosystems in communities, on First Nations land and on land held by The Nature Trust. EcoNeutral™ carbon offsets, along with enhanced animal habitat, improved water filtration and restored natural beauty are among the many co-benefits of programs offered by ERA.

Aliens (and Film Makers) Leave No Footprints!
posted by EcoNeutral on Saturday, November 24, 2007

Tuesday, October 16, 2007

EcoNeutral Welcomes Change

"Change is an independent firm working with brands that want to embrace sustainability. We exist to help them tailor their efforts to match the priorities of today's environmentally aware consumer." - CEO Marc Stoiber

Change has become an EcoNeutral business AND is offering EcoNeutral offset solutions as an ingredient in sustainability and green strategies they devise for clients.

For more information about Change, visit www.changebiz.com.

EcoNeutral Welcomes Change
posted by EcoNeutral on Tuesday, October 16, 2007

Tuesday, October 02, 2007

EcoNeutral Welcomes CNIS

"The Canadian Network for International Surgery is a non-profit organization that promotes the delivery of essential surgical care to the underprivileged. Our vision is to empower low-income countries to create an environment where the risk of injuries is minimal and all people receive adequate surgical care."

Dr. Ronald Lett, President of the CNIS and the CNIS Board of Directors made the decision to go carbon neutral! CNIS estimated their carbon footprint to be 60-80 tonnes a year. The CNIS, being a forward thinking, responsible organization, found this unacceptable given the current understanding of the causes, and probable effects of climate change. CNIS has arranged to offset their carbon dioxide emissions by purchasing EcoNeutral™ carbon offsets from Ecosystem Restoration Associates (ERA).

ERA will be planting and tending trees in Maple Ridge to offset their carbon emissions. The Canadian Development Agency (CIDA) has agreed that this is part of an environmental cross cutting theme in all programs and that all CNIS international development projects must now be looked at from an environmental point of view. CIDA has agreed as part of a cost sharing agreement with CNIS that they will remunerate 75% of the costs to offset our carbon expenditures. This is to say that the federal government is supporting Canadian surgeons in being responsible corporate global citizens!

For more information about CNIS, visit www.cnis.ca.

EcoNeutral Welcomes CNIS
posted by EcoNeutral on Tuesday, October 02, 2007