Carbon Offsetting, and Planting Trees in Malawi, Africa

CONFUSED ABOUT CARBON OFFSETTING?

Carbon offsetting is a practical method to reduce carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. However, it shouldn't be used as an excuse for people in the West to carry on consuming energy as they have done in the past. We all need to reduce our own carbon footprint where we can and, if you want to offset the balance, our tree planting and fuel-efficient stoves projects in Malawi, Africa, will certainly achieve this with the added benefit of helping local communities.

CARBON OFFSETTING … MADE SIMPLE
For those of you who want to offset your carbon footprint, here are the simple facts:

•	An average person in the West creates 10 tonnes of carbon emissions per year.
•	An average person in Malawi, Africa, creates 0.1 tonnes of carbon emissions per year.
•	Typically, up to 10 trees are needed to absorb 1 tonne of carbon for one year.
•	An average person in the West needs 100 trees to offset their annual carbon footprint.
•	If you donate £100 to RIPPLE Africa, we will help local communities to plant trees and manufacture fuel-efficient stoves. At the same time, this will more than offset one person's carbon emissions for one year.

We would be grateful for any donation towards our tree planting and fuel-efficient stove projects — but remember that our primary objective is not to help you go "carbon neutral" but to protect and plant trees, and to help local communities in Malawi.


QUICK CARBON OFFSET CALCULATOR £10 / $20 will offset a minimum of 1 tonne of carbon emissions Approximate examples of carbon emissions (per person):

Total annual carbon emissions for an average person in the UK (based on typical energy bills, car use, and life style)	10 tonnes	£100/$200

Flights (per person)
A short haul return flight	0.5 tonne	£5/$10
A medium haul return flight	1.5 tonnes	£15/$30
A long haul return flight	3 tonnes	£30/$60

Cars (per car)
Average annual car emissions travelling 10,000 miles	3 tonnes	£30/$60

Homes (per home)
Average annual emissions for a three-bedroomed house	5.5 tonnes	£55/$110

Remember that carbon emissions will vary for different people, and our aim is to keep it simple and provide average carbon emissions per person per year. In addition to the above, there are many other types of carbon emissions related to manufacturing, transport, recreation, education, etc., which all contribute to the average person's annual carbon footprint.

OUR PRIMARY ENVIRONMENTAL OBJECTIVES ARE TO HELP LOCAL COMMUNITIES IN MALAWI TO:

•	plant trees
•	reduce deforestation and land degradation
•	protect and manage the local environment
•	develop sustainable local livelihoods
•	alleviate poverty

RIPPLE Africa enabled local communities in Malawi to plant 550,000 trees in January 2007. These trees will help to address global warming by absorbing carbon dioxide, and we estimate that they will absorb at least 16,500 tonnes of carbon. This would offset the annual carbon emissions of at least 1,650 people living in the West. Please click here for more details.

In addition to the tree planting programme, 27 groups have been set up to make fuel-efficient wood burning clay stoves (mbaula). Each one of these stoves can potentially save 80 small/medium trees from being cut down each year for firewood. Please click here for more details.

EVERY £/$ DONATED IS A £/$ SPENT ON PLANTING TREES
We're a not-for-profit organisation, and our costs are covered by other activities. Although we monitor our projects, we don't have expensive reporting and verification procedures, unlike other profit-making schemes, and we guarantee that every pound/dollar donated through this scheme is a pound/dollar spent on planting trees and protecting them through the manufacture of fuel-efficient stoves.

If you really are serious about your carbon footprint, then your first priority should be to reduce your energy use. Carbon offsetting is a practical way to compensate for the impact of the emissions that you cannot reduce, and by planting trees through RIPPLE Africa you will also help local communities in Malawi, Africa.

Company Registration No. 04823686 • UK Registered Charity No. 1103256

Contact RIPPLE Africa