Carbon dioxide is a compound produced from the burning of carbon-based fuels. An average tree is believed to absorb one ton of CO2 over its lifetime, and one mature tree can support two human beings.
Knowing and understanding that our volunteers often must travel by air to arrive in Costa Rica and knowing that an average flight can produce 1 ton of CO2 per person, Tropical Adventures has developed a program to offset the carbon footprint produced by our foundation and each of our volunteers.
Beginning in January, 2009, Planting Hope will provide each volunteer a certain number of trees to plant in their respective volunteer project communities, based upon their estimated carbon footprint for their trip to Costa Rica. Volunteers will also have the option to purchase more trees for donation and planting if they so choose.
Planting Hope, along with recycling in each of our project offices, the use of energy efficient lighting and other efforts to be environmentally friendly, will offset the carbon footprint of our own organization and help us achieve carbon neutrality.