The Inspiration
Becoming Carbon Neutral
The Druid Network and Future Forests
Planting Trees
Joe Strummer's Memorial Forest
A Eulogy to Joe Strummer
The Inspiration
It was backstage at Glastonbury Festival, Somerset, in
the summer of 1996, that the spark which inspired Future Forests into
creation
was first lit. Joe Strummer, legendary hero of the old
punk band The Clash, was thinking aloud ... “Bands must be contributing
to global warming by their buses, equipment trucks and the diesel
used to power the stages. Can you imagine how much CO2 the pressing
and the distribution
of a CD creates? What shall we do about it?” It was his friend,
Dan Morrell who came up with the clear idea that planting trees to re-absorb
this harmful carbon dioxide was not only the answer, but it was possible,
and necessary.
Joe decided that he would have his own forest planted to offset the emissions
from his CDs and became the world's first 'Carbon Neutral artist'.
He then put Future Forests in touch with many other people in the industry.
With the credibility and blessing of such a great power as Joe Strummer,
Future Forests was able to get support from the most credible artists in
the music community including Pink Floyd, Coldplay, Pulp, Beth Orton, Feeder,
Foo Fighters, David Grey, Massive Attack and Mel C. The whole of Future
Forests, then, is in many ways a legacy of the great creative mind of Joe
Strummer.
Such is the information given us through the website of Future Forests,
(http://www.futureforests.com)
and as I read the words something slid through my body, a chilling realization.
For although I have been funding the planting of trees for many years, planting
trees myself where I can, growing trees in my own tiny garden, spending
days in reverence and reverie in the forest where I live, I am also a writer.
How many trees would it take for me to offset the damage caused by all those
books published? My words may have inspired thousands to invest in trees,
to live with a clearer awareness, but there was still a significant measure
of personal responsibility I had to address. I determined to find out, and
to begin on that path.
(There was going to be an interview here but, although
Dan Morrell, manager of Future Forests, agreed to be interviewed, he never
got back to us)
Becoming
Carbon Neutral
Future Forests have a marvellous device on their website
called a Carbon Calculator. It lets you know just how many tonnes of carbon
emissions are produced by your way of life, and how many trees it would
take to absorb that CO2, neutralizing the damage of humanity’s excess.
By Road
For example, if your car has less than a 1.4 litre engine, and you drive
200 miles a week, you are producing 2.5 tonnes of CO2 in a year. It would
take the life of 3 trees to rebalance those emissions. If for some reason
you drive a large car, with an engine that is 2 litres or more, and drive
300 miles a week (that’s 30 miles to and from work, five days a week),
your annual emissions would be at least 5.9 tonnes, which would require
8 trees to be planted every year.
By Train
If you travel 150 miles on local trains to get to work each week (15 miles
each way to work), your emissions over the course of a year would be 0.7
tonnes, needing 1 tree to offset the excess.
By Air
For a return flight across Europe, say from London to Portugal or Spain
on holiday, those 2000 miles of flying produce 0.6 tonnes, which would need
1 tree. London to New York and back would need 2 trees. A trip to Australia
from London, 21 000 miles, would need 5 trees.
Averages per Country
The website also gives averages for people in different countries, estimating
the amount of emissions created by that country and averaging it over the
population. This takes into consideration your house and your transport
emissions.
To become a carbon neutral citizen ...
In Britain, you need to plant 15
trees a year.
In Australia, the number is 14 trees.
In the USA, the number is 30 trees.
That isn’t a great number of trees for each of us to plant or fund
the planting of. Of course, addressing the issues of our carbon imbalance
is only one aspect of the pollution generated by our way of life - and like
the Catholic deathbed absolution of the man whose life is filled with dishonour
and 'sin', we must be quite clear that PLANTING TREES CANNOT BE
AN EXCUSE TO CONTINUE UNNECESSARY CONSUMPTION. However, and perhaps
most importantly, it is another small but significant way in which each
one of us can make a difference.
The Druid Network
and Future Forests
Having first found out about Future Forests through various
corporate connections, initially the promotion on Whole Earth foods, I brought
it to the attention of others at The Druid Network, and we explored the
organization as best we could. They have a significant coverage on the internet
offering very many ways in which you can plant trees through their organization.
We like their emphasis on not only tree planting but also
on addressing other aspects of global warming, conversion to renewable energy
resources and technologies. Although they are a business and not a charity,
as yet (Feb 2003) all their profit has been ploughed back into the business.
However, as a business they are not always friendly to
the average punter. Some of their schemes, such as gift certificates for
various occasions, can seem rather excessively expensive. However, we'll
leave it up to you to explore their website and see what you think. Some
useful information can be found on their FAQ pages.
Planting Trees
As a result of our research, we have compiled a list of
organizations through which you can plant trees. And right here, right now,
we’d like to give you the opportunity to do just that.
Just head for our page about Planting
Trees.
Joe Strummer's Memorial Forest
Hidden away on the shores of Loch Bracadale, North West
Skye, this beautiful site is being recreated into a forest of native broadleaves.
Interspersed within the greenery lie areas of archaeological interest, mainly
ancient crafting infrastructures, which the forest will help to protect
from the elements.
Overshadowed by the majestic Macleod's Table, Orbost Forest will provide
a home to hundreds of species of wildlife, including otters, red deer, foxes,
and a haven to the increasingly threatened nesting sea-eagle. A popular
local walk travels the scenic route from Orbost to the nearby sea stacks
known as McClouds Maidens
As a community woodland, planting at Orbost has generated a huge amount
of local enthusiasm and will be carried out by the Orbost Trust, comprised
of residents of the local area. Species planted here will be predominantly
birch, oak, rowan, alder and willow, with some woody shrubs in-between.
(text taken from the Future Forests website)
A EULOGY TO JOE STRUMMER
love prose by Constance Perenyi
