usf going green movement: carbon offset tree planting

CARBON OFFSET TREE PLANTINGUSF GOING GREEN MOVEMENT

GABRIELLE BENOIT | PATRICK CAHILL | KORRIE GOODMAN

Along with all of the newer and better technology that is making life get easier comes with the increase in greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Over the years we are seeing more and more reports of how global warming is be-coming more of a concern. In other words our carbon footprint has increased along with the need to be greater, faster and smarter.

USF one of the leading green universities in Florida, has embarked on many avenues to help offset their carbon footprint such as encourage recycling (a recycling bin at just about every corner), provide transportation to USF stu-dents (instead of allowing them to use their individual cars), tree planting just to name a few.

This paper will be discussing how USF is paving the way to reduce/offset it’s carbon footprint and greenhouse gases by planting trees. Trees require car-bon dioxide to grow which is perfect since carbon dioxide is one of the green-house gases. Trees absorb carbon dioxide through their leaves and in turn release oxygen as part of a process called photosynthesis. Mature trees not only offset carbon in the atmosphere but also provide protection from global warming. In addition the shade that trees offer keeps the earth from getting the full effect of the suns heat.

Each year USF spends thousands of dollars to plant hundreds of trees, bush-es and flowers around their campuses to help offset their carbon footprint. These plants both beautify the campuses and help absorb the carbon in the atmosphere. To help with offset the financial burden, USF charges a “Green Energy Fee” to all USF students. That money is used to help them stay and continue on their way to being a green university.

This is the time to be concerned about our carbon footprint and what can be done to reduce it.

1 University of South FloridaUniversity of South Florida

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Written by Team QuestGabrielle Benoit

Patrick CahillKorrie Goodman

University of South Florida 2Team Quest 2012University of South Florida

Each and every person or organi-zation has what

is known as a Carbon Footprint. This foot-print is not the same as physical footprint in the sense that you can see it, however it is analo-gous in that it is a mea-sure of an individuals, or entities impact on the environment and just as you move through the sand and leave a trail, as you move through life you make an impres-sion on your environ-ment. Where the anal-ogy end is how lasting that impact is. Back on the beach the wind blows or the tide comes in and your impact is completely erased.

Your carbon footprint however has a lasting impact that will not only affect us but also our children and their children as well. Simply ignoring this problem will not make it go away, in fact ignoring the is-sue at hand will only make things worse and cause us to miss out on the benefits of shrink-ing our carbon footprint such as reduced energy costs.It is for these reasons the University of South Florida has taken great care in reducing its car-bon footprint through a variety of programs and practices such as the green energy fee. Through programs like

the Green Energy fee, which is paid by stu-dents and used by the university to establish or improve renewable energy technologies, the university strives to be a leader in the Tampa Bay area’s positive environmental change. The university uses its environmental sustainability programs to enact changes to lower green house gas emissions, eliminate waste and reduce en-ergy costs. USF looks at theses programs as an opportunity to “rein-force its value of social, economic and environ-mental sustainability (University of South Florida).”


Part of the university’s comprehensive plan to reduce it environmental impact through environ-mental sustainability projects is its commit-ment to a process know as carbon offset tree planting. This process involves the planting of trees and greenery to absorb carbon that in the atmosphere. It is also know as afforesta-tion, the opposite of deforestation. Carbon Offset Tree Planting or COTP is a major part of the long-term solution and its benefits go far beyond simply lower-ing atmospheric carbon levels. Everyone should look to implement some form of carbon offset

tree planting as a part of his or her organiza-tion’s sustainable en-vironment solution and also as means to limit their per-sonal carbon footprint.


A carbon footprint can be split into two dis-tinct parts, a primary

footprint and a secondary footprint. The primary foot-print consists of direct activ-ity that results in the burning of fossil fuels such as non-renewable energy consump-tion and gasoline based personal transportation. The secondary footprint results from indirect causes of car-bon emissions such as the fuel used to transport goods that an individual or entity purchases. Both the primary and secondary carbon foot-print are ultimately deter-mined by measuring a group of compounds, collectively referred to as greenhouses gases, that are produced as a direct or indirect result of ones given activities. These

green house gases or GHGs include methane, nitrous oxide, chlorofluorocarbons which are better known as aerosols, and carbon diox-ide or CO2 . The most harm-ful of these compounds is carbon dioxide (Green Stu-dent U).While greenhouse gases can be dangerous, they also play a necessary part in heating the earth. This heating is accomplished thru what is known as the green house effect, a natural phenome-non that occurs as heat from the sun is trapped by green house gases in the atmo-sphere. The concentration of these gases has a direct coloration to the amount of heat that is retained within the earth’s atmosphere. Due to industrialized countries


such as the United States and China (Barber) the level of these gases in the atmo-sphere is considerably high-er today then just 50 years ago. In 1959 the atmospheric CO2 levels were 315.97 ppm and in May of 2012 the levels were at 396.78 ppm and they are still climbing (National Oceanic & Atmospheric Ad-ministration). According to Dean Horkavy an environmental scientist who has worked in a number of environmental sustain-ability capacities including work done as an Aquatic Restoration Specialist with the North Carolina Depart-ment of Environmental and natural Resources as well as a consultant for North Carolina’s Research Triangle Park, “Green house gases

are a threat to certain ecosys-tems, such as polar ice caps and costal environments.” He goes on to say that, “the main threat from green house gases is a profound chain of events caused by the affect greenhouse gases have on the earth’s climate and weather patterns.” If green house gases are left unchecked they can eventu-ally lead to flooded coast-lines due to melting of polar ice caps, a contamination of fresh water supplies by salt-water and the desertifica-tion now lush environments. (Horkavy)


Carbon Offset

Tree PlantingWhen performing carbon reduction, carbon offsets are often used. Carbon offsets are environmental projects that will reduce carbon emissions. These projects are typically financed by en-tities that have reduced their carbon footprint by every standard means available to them. It is usually only after all other forms of viable carbon reduc-tion have been exhausted that an entity will finance or, purchase an offset. The amount of green house gases reduced in the atmosphere as a result of the project is subtracted from the spon-sor’s carbon footprint. The reasons for engaging in these offsets vary from en-hancing one’s “Green” image, to meet-ing governmental caps on emissions.

These offsets are often considerable financial commitments, for this reason it is advantageous to pursue the most efficient means of carbon reduction.

One of the most effective carbon off-sets is biological sequestration, the process of absorption of carbon by trees, plants, and soil from the earth’s atmosphere. Two activities that fall into the category of biological sequestration are afforestation, which is the planting of trees on land that has previously not been forested, and reforestation, the planting of trees on land that once held forests but have been removed. (P. Mulligan)

The same process of carbon sequestra-tion that makes afforestation and re-forestation an effective form of carbon reduction is also what makes carbon offset tree planting a useful tool for re-

1 Graph retrived from www.esrl.noaa.gov/gmd/ccgg/trends/


ducing atmospheric carbon levels. The difference between these off-sets is that while afforestation and reforestation deal with the planting of forests, carbon offset tree plant-ing is the planting of individual trees; the same practice, but on a smaller scale.

While obviously planting an entire forest would be more effective in reducing carbon levels it is also much more impractical. Through the process of carbon offset tree planting everyone from an individ-ual property owner to large public universities can participate in an effective means of reducing carbon footprints.Average trees absorb up to 2,000 pounds of carbon dioxide in their lifetime (Mattingly-Arthur). They do this by using carbon as a means to grow through the process of photo-synthesis. The wood of the tree ac-tually stores the carbon, this carbon is kept within the tree until the tree dies and eventually decomposes (Horkavy).

Carbon offset trees have numerous benefits over other forms of car-bon reduction. According to PBS in addition to offsetting atmospheric carbon levels trees regulate and preserve ecosystems as well as preventing soil erosion. PBS goes on to state that trees play a stabi-lizing role for coastlines as well as enriching soil that leads to greater

fertility. In addition to these bene-fits tress also serve as a regulator of water. During times of heavy rain or floods trees will absorb water, this limits the need for retention ponds and water runoff infrastructure (PBS).

Additionally large trees provide shade for pedestrians and if they are strategically located can reduce building cooling costs.


What are your educational & professional qualifications?I graduated with a B.S. in Environmental Science & Policy from USF. I have worked in several capacities relevant to my degree earned. I have been a Resource Manage-ment Specialist with the FLDEP’s Tampa Bay Aquatic & Buffer Preserves Program. I also worked for The NC Dept. of Environ-mental & Natural Resources as an Aquatic Restoration Specialist (fresh water) and as a Water Conservation Specialist help-ing local water facilities to develop wa-ter conservation protocols in the event of drought/drought conditions, as well as develop statewide mandated water conservation policies during emergency drought conditions and eminent water shortage situations. I also have worked as an independent consultant to formulate a strategy for electronics recycling in NC’s Research Triangle Park.

Do you believe that greenhouse gases are a threat to the environment? If so, in what way?Greenhouse gases are a threat to certain ecosystems, such as polar ice caps or coastal environ-ments, but other ecosystems such as tropical rain forests would benefit from an increase in greenhouse gases...plants love them. The main threat from greenhouse gases are a profound chain of events caused by the effect greenhouse gases have on the earth’s climate and weather patterns. As humans we tend to think only in terms on how we are affected so I will relate an extremely brief breakdown (in my opinion) of the affect greenhouse gases have on humanity. Greenhouse gases trap solar radiation, causing an increase in ambient air temp, thus causing ocean temps to rise. Rising ocean temp alter the current prevailing ocean currents (e.g. gulf-stream) that predicate weather patterns, having the ability to flip the script making cold regions warm/warm areas cooler, deserts rainier/rainforests dryer, etc…as well as rising sea levels from the melting ice caps. The threat to humanity is to submerge populated coastlines, lack of avail-able fresh water, the desertification of locations throughout the world, etc. The loss to plants & animals is mainly as ecosystems change they will be poorly adapted to these conditions so extinction rates will increase causing less biodiversity. This is just a snapshot and depending on the rate of change we and wildlife may have the ability to adapt to the new conditions.

Dean

HorkavyEnvironmental ScientistAn Interview


In your opinion, what is thebiggest concern with the emissions of greenhouse gases? The problem is not the change, as this has occurred throughout the earth’s existence; it is the accelerated rate of change caused by man’s enormous lust for consumption which gen-erates greenhouse gases.

How does planting trees resolve this issue?Trees serve as a carbon sink for greenhouse gases. Think of it this way, plants breathe car-bon dioxide (CO2) and “breathe out” oxygen (O). They are a sink (like a sponge or storage site for carbon) because they use the carbon to grow wood and release oxygen back into the atmosphere. The wood locks up and stores the carbon (a greenhouse gas), when you burn the wood carbon is then released into the atmosphere. So as an off-set it is one to one ra-tio, in essence for every carbon atom the university burns, theoretically a tree is planted to absorb that carbon and balance out the carbon spreadsheet.

How can the community as-sist in this movement? Believe it or not, the community is highly involved. The problem, as anything, is money. With funding the University could install solar panels a good idea for USF with their massive sun exposed rooftops, as well as help to reduce oil consumption allowing that sink to remain a sink. Money to buy up lands would also benefit this cause. But people are involved in many grassroots efforts. The biggest ways peo-ple can help is to consume less (e.g. ride your bike to work, buy economical vehi-cles, fix things instead of replacing them, etc.), plant native plants (NO EXOTIC OR-NAMENTALS, which require more water and reap havoc on local ecosystems), and to join forces with existing environmen-tal groups (e.g. WWF, Sierra Club, Nature Conservancy, etc.) where their efforts can be combined and focused for the greatest impact.

“”

Trees serve as a carbon sink

for greenhouse gases.


The University of South Florida has been widely known as one of Florida’s tree friendliest colleges for the last six decades. In the past 15 years alone, over

3,500 trees have been planted on the Tampa campus. The plan to install another 1000 trees this year is part of USF President, Judy Genshaft’s commitment to cli-mate control and the reduction of the university’s carbon footprint.

In partnership with the Arbor Day Foundation, Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority and Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity held a successful event in April of this year. Volunteers consisting of both students & staff planted 300 new trees across the USF Tampa campus.

The Zeta Upsilon chapter (of Alpha Kappa Alpha) is committed to promoting en-vironmental sustainability and education through the campus tree-planting pro-gram,” said Gwen Myers, international chairwoman of the Building and Property Committee for Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority.

Because of its efforts to be an environmentally sustainable university, the esteemed Arbor Day Foundation has chosen USF as one of six universities within the U.S to host such tree planting events.

Sharon Hanna-West, a USF faculty member who teaches ethics and sustainability, said she looks forward to when the students who participated in the tree planting will return to campus years from now to see the new trees as towering oaks. “These students have helped to create a green living legacy,” Hanna-West said.

Following the planting session, USF was designated as a National Tree Campus USA. The recognition was awarded because USF has met the organizations three core objectives; effective management of trees, a connectivity with the community beyond campus borders to foster healthy forests, and to strive to engage student population utilizing service learning centered on forestry efforts.


Across the Bay on the St. Pete cam-pus, the Student Environmental Awareness Society (SEAS) held a tree planting event of their own. In observance of International Day of Climate Action, the green activ-ists planted trees native to Florida, throughout the waterfront campus.

Not only is USF committed to planting new trees, according to the Objectives & Policies listed on the Universities master plan, they ensure that they will limit the

amount of tree removal, and plan new building developments around this effort.

Through the years, students & faculty have enjoyed a canopy of trees while walking along many pathways on campus. The shade has also encouraged students to congregate for social events and provide a serene environment for study purposes. In addition to the welcome adornment, the trees provide so many more ben-efits towards USF’s sustainability initiative. A reduction in energy costs, cooler campuses, reduction in storm water retention due to tree absorption, a natural increase in O2 which improves air quality, richer soil and an overall closer connection to nature.


Community involvement

The easiest solution is to plant a sustainable tree in your own

backyard. Choose a large, fast grow-ing hardwood tree that is native to your area. Shop at your local nursery to fur-ther extend community involvement. Carefully consider the location based on trees potential growth and plant according to specified sunlight require-ments.

Join a local organization in an effort to reduce the carbon footprint by planting trees in your community.

Community Tree Program: The City of Tampa

Established in 1997, is a free ser-vice of the Tampa Parks and

Recreation Department that pro-vides individuals and neighborhood associations with trees for plant-ing on City land, greenways, and street right-of-ways. The goal of the program is to plant 1,000 trees annually which offers a way to en-hance the neighborhood and help sustain Tampa’s community forest and shade canopy. The community is encouraged to become involved at both the time of planting, and beyond – promoting a sense of responsibility and environmental

stewardship in citizens across the city. Visit www.tampagov.net for more information.

Tampa Bay Reforestation and Environmental Effort, Inc.

TREE Inc. is a 29 year old grass-roots non-profit environmen-

tal organization based out of the Tampa Bay Area. It was instrumental in bringing the concept of volun-teers planting trees along the inter-states, roadways and in parks of the greater Tampa Bay Area to beautify and preserve the environment. To date, T.R.E.E. Inc. has planted over 26,405 trees at no cost to the tax-payer. www.treeinc.org


The Sierra Club

One of the most recognizable enviornmetal entities, An or-

ganization established in 1892 with a current memberships totaling over1.4 million. A grassroots orga-nization determined to create a safe and healthy community by combat-ing such issues as climate climate and wildlife protection. As a mem-ber you can learn about local issues, attend organized outings such as hikes, cycling, skiing, book a volun-teer vacation and take action on is-sues that you are passionate about. To Learn more about local issues, ind your Sierra Club Chapter online at www.sierraclub.com.

GreenLivingTips.com

Another Organization committed to becoming carbon negative.

Citizens can join the movement in teaching less fortunate communi-ties how to care for the environ-ment and improve sustainability. Between 1980 and 1995, Africa saw more than 10 percent of its forests wiped out - that’s around 150 mil-lion acres. Over the last 50 years, 66% of the forests in the Philippines were destroyed - one of the high-est deforestation rates in the world. For each visitor who signs up for our free newsletter, they will arrange for a tree to be planted in areas most threatened by deforestation and erosion. Their goal is to see many thousands of trees planted by the end of this year, courtesy of Green Living Tips visitors! Help contribute to off-set carbon emissions and help other countries desperately in need of trees. Visit www.greenlivingtips.com for more information.

Join one of many National Organizations who make it their mission to protect the environment such as:


ConclusionAs we continue to face increased

industrialization we will also continue to face rising carbon dioxide levels in our atmosphere. The rise of carbon dioxide as well as other green house gases accelerates climate change which if ignored can dam-age our planets delicate ecosystems to the point of irreversible loss. It is for these reasons that we must be ever mindful of the consequences that our actions will have not only for the current inhabitants of the earth but also for what it will mean for our decedents. We must always be on the lookout for new clean energies, and new was to minimize our impact. Car-bon offset tree planting is a tool that many others have employeed and may posibly be a vaild soultion for your organazation as well.

With every tree that is planted or replanted in our universi-

ties and our cities we bring life and restoration to both our planet and to our communities. One final benefit that is offered through carbon offset tree planting is increased awareness of pertinent environmental issues. People who may not consider them-selves environmental are exposed to the important issues of global warm-ing, deforestation, and ultimately what they could mean for our planet. Carbon offset tree planting truly is a solution that everyone can participate in.


Works Cited

University of South Florida. Tuition and Fees. 2012. 10 June 2012 <http://us-fweb2.usf.edu/uco/cashaccounting/tuition.asp>.

Barber, David. Effects of Greenhouse Gases. 13 June 2012 <http://www.ehow.com/list_7434783_effects-greenhouse-gases.html#ixzz1xRGLT4F1>.

Green Student U. Carbon Footprint. 12 June 2012 <http://www.greenstu-dentu.com/encyclopedia/carbon_footprint>.

Horkavy, Dean. Environmental Scientist Korrie Goldman. 13 June 2012.

Knight, Kenneth. “USF Blooms as a tree friendly college campus.” 21 April 2012. Tampa Tribune. 17 June 2012 <http://duke1.tbo.com/content/2012/apr/21/MEMETO1-usf-blooms-as-a-tree-friendly-college-camp/news-breaking/>

National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration. Trends in Atmospheric Car-bon Dioxide. 2012 3 June. 2012 15 June <http://www.esrl.noaa.gov/gmd/ccgg/trends/>.

Mattingly-Arthur, Megan. How to Plant a Carbon Offset Tree. 16 June 2012 <http://www.ehow.com/how_6717124_plant-carbon-offset-tree.html>.

P. Mulligan, James. “Carbon Dioxide Emissions.” Carbon Dioxide Emissions. Nova Science Publishers, 2010. 10-13.

PBS. Taking Root. 14 June 2012 <http://www.pbs.org/independentlens/tak-ingroot/benefits.html>.

Facilities Planning & Construction. “Planting Trees for a more Sustainable & Livable Campus.” n.d. University of South Florida News. 17 June 2012. http://news.usf.edu/article/templates/?a=3529


Annotated Bibliography The general focus of Team Quest’s white paper will be to present a solution to the negative affects that greenhouse gases or GHGs have on the environment. The principal GHGs that enter the atmosphere from industrial activities are carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, methane and fluorinated gases. Our paper primarily deals with carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide enters the atmosphere from the burning of fossil fuels and solid waste; it has a direct effect on the environment causing smog, acid rain & global warming. Our White paper poses the solution of carbon offset tree planting or COTP as a major part of a complete carbon reduction program.

Trees absorb the greenhouse gases that cause global warming through photosynthesis. Planting trees fights climate change and helps preserve the Earth’s ecosystems. In preparing for our paper we have conducted interviews, searched the web and have read up on books and journals/magazines to gain a better understanding as to what exactly caused/enhances the greenhouse effect. We’ve posed the question of how it can be diminished and if it can be completely eliminated over time. Bibliography

1. Doble, Rae. Money (14446219); Oct2007, Issue 95, p30-30, 1p

SummaryDoble’s article offers the positives of planting trees to offset our carbon footprint. Carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere thru doing our everyday task such as driving our cars to and fro, the burning of fossil fuels for electricity, ect. It also contributes to the greenhouse gases such as methane and others. Although there are many ways to help reduce the effects of our carbon footprint, planting trees is found to be one of the long term ways of decreasing it. Trees absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen; planting lots of them will help balance out the effect of the carbon footprint. The more trees that are being planted the more carbon dioxide that is being removed from the atmosphere. That in turn lessens the effects of the greenhouse gases. Usage

This information will be used to point out the things that contribute to the increase in our carbon footprint and how trees offset the damage that has already taken place.

2. USA Today Magazine; Jun2007, Vol. 135 Issue 2745, p4-5, 2pSummaryThis article is a study of how tree planting will affect the carbon footprint, with research per-formed by the LAWRENCE Livermore National Laboratory. They suggest that planting trees not only offset carbon footprint by absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen into the atmosphere but they also absorbs the sunlight thus keeping the earth warm. Planting trees, lots of trees, will play a role in preventing global warming.Usage


This study will be used to point out the overall benefits to planting trees not only to offset the carbon footprint but also to reduce global warming.

3. Cohen, Shaul Ephraim. Planting Nature : Trees And The Manipulation Of Environmental Stewardship In America. University of California Press, 2004. eBook Collection (EBSCOhost). Web. 14 June 2012.

SummaryAn overview of the history of deforestation and the environmental movement in America.

UsageThis source will be used to provide some background on how deforestation progressed in Ameri-ca, as well as an insight into the history of the green movement.

4. Mulligan, James P. Carbon Dioxide Emissions. Nova Science Publishers, 2010. eBook Collection (EBSCOhost). Web. 14 June 2012.

SummaryThis book provides a wealth of information regarding carbon offset programs including Biologi-cal Sequestration, which is the concept of storing carbon in soil and vegetation.UsageOur white paper utilizes this source to support the notion that Carbon Offset Tree Planting is a valid solution to the issue of carbon pollution.

5. Horkavy, Dean. Personal Interview. 13 July 2012.SummaryA personal interview conducted by Team Quest with Dean Horkavy who holds a PHD in environ-mental science.

Usage The information gained through this interview will be invaluable in giving team quest a fist hand account of the environmental movement and specifically what part carbon offset tree planting can play in the sequestering of carbon emissions. It also will help give credibility and unique content to our paper.


Glossary

Afforestation - the establishment of a forest or stand of trees in an area where there was no forest.

Carbon Footprint - a measure of the impact human activities have on the environment in terms of the amount of greenhouse gases produced, measured in units of carbon dioxide.

Carbon offset - a reduction in emissions of carbon dioxide or greenhouse gases made in order to compensate for or to offset an emission made elsewhere.

Deforestation - is the removal of a forest or stand of trees where the land is thereafter con-verted to a non-forest use.

Desertification - The processes by which an area becomes a desert

Fluorocarbons - any of a class of compounds produced by substituting fluorine for hydrogen in a hydrocarbon, and characterized by great chemical stability: used chiefly as a lubricant, refrigerant, fire extinguishing agent, and in industrial and other applications in which chemical, electrical, flame, and heat resistance is essential; banned as an aerosol propellant in the U.S. because of concern about ozone layer depletion.

Greenhouse Gases - any of the gases whose absorption of solar radiation is responsible for the greenhouse effect, including carbon dioxide, methane, ozone, and the fluorocarbons. Methane - Colorless, odorless, flammable gas

Nitrous Oxide - Colorless, sweet-smelling, sweet-tasting, nonflammable, slightly water-solu-ble gas, N2O

Reforestation - the reestablishment of forest cover, either naturally (by natural seeding, cop-pice, or root suckers) or artificially (by direct seeding or planting).


usf going green movement: carbon offset tree planting

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