“All things share the same breath—the beast, the tree, the man. The air shares its spirit with all the life it supports.”
— Chief Seattle
Great Chief Seattle, Native American leader and environmentalist, spoke words which should eternally ring: the interrelatedness of all life through the air we breathe. His wisdom is a reminder that will remain in place even today, with so much development, when advancement is made rather than the debt of humans to nature. The scientific progress of humans and exploration has been very impressive, but they come with a cost as far as forgetting about the environment which provides us with a means of life.
The Dual Nature of Carbon
The instant the word "carbon" is mentioned, people instantly relate it to pollution and destruction. Actually, carbon is the basic building block of life. Without carbon, there would not have been any world as we know. It is essential for processes such as photosynthesis, whereby plants produce oxygen, which we breathe. Yet, the very element that nurtures life has also been one of its biggest threats when in a state of disequilibrium. Too much carbon dioxide feeds into global warming, resulting in the melting of glaciers, rising sea levels, and disrupted climates. The world's temperature has already risen by 1.6°C and breached the Paris Agreement limit of 1.5°C.
Human activities, such as burning fossil fuels, deforestation, industrialization, and some agricultural activities, have increased carbon emissions. These are the very activities that feed into development, yet are also increasing environmental degradation. This is a paradox indeed: how can we minimize the damage while continuing to ensure progress?
Understanding the Carbon Footprint
The carbon footprint is defined as the amount of greenhouse gases an individual, organization, or nation directly or indirectly emits. The United Nations and other bodies concerned about the environment have initiated various programs to lessen the carbon footprint around the world. Industries emitting beyond the tolerance limit are levied, and such money is being spent to plant more trees and thus decrease carbon dioxide. Not only does it clean the atmosphere of unwanted carbon dioxide but also is a means of earning a livelihood for many who grow trees or prevent forests from being destroyed.
Carbon Blanket Initiative by Farhills Ceylon
Recognizing the untapped potential of carbon offset programs in Sri Lanka, Farhells Ceylon has now introduced the Carbon Blanket initiative. This bridges Sri Lankan planters with international carbon offset programs for economic and environmental gain. By registering the plantations within the Carbon Blanket, the planters add to a national "Carbon Bank," which calculates oxygen produced and reports the same to international carbon footprint organizations. They are paid for the oxygen that their trees give out to the atmosphere.
This is not a program only for those owning large-scale plantations; both individual farmers and even rural households can join. All participants have to do is register their lands with Farhells Ceylon, converting the greenery on their premises into revenue-generating sources. The innovative initiative monetizes environmental conservation for Sri Lanka but also contributes positively toward increasing forest cover for overall global ecological balance.
Empowering Future Generations
Farhills Ceylon continues this mission with its educational programs, pairing rural Sri Lankan students with students in developed countries with high per capita carbon emissions. Using a Canadian student as an example, their calculated carbon footprint would find them planting and nurturing a certain number of trees by a Sri Lankan child. Both parties benefit from the partnership: the Sri Lankan student receives educational support, and the international student gains recognition for reducing carbon emissions.
Farhills has also initiated the use of seed balls for the restoration of forests. These biodegradable balls, containing seeds for various plants, are planted in forests, enhancing biodiversity and minimizing human-wildlife conflict. This method further fortifies the Carbon Bank while resolving food scarcity for wildlife and reducing the encroachment of invasive species into human settlements.
Call to Action
The Carbon Blanket is that one particular opportunity which gives people a chance to save the planet and, while at it, make money in return. Tree planting may reduce carbon emission, restore the ecosystems, and make sure the future is green and sustainable. It all begins with one step-or perhaps with just one tree.
Plant one tree. Earn some money. Save the world. Make life successful.
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