Join our Carbon-Zero movement today

Being part of the GVN family, I know you are someone who believes a small group of people can create real change, no matter how big the task may seem. So my question is... if you could offset all your carbon (past, present and future!) to become carbon neutral – or even carbon negative and help combat climate change, would you do it? Well, I DID! I recently had my expected lifetime carbon emissions measured and offset the lot! The offset worked out at a contribution of 1,705 native trees and shrubs, which are being planted in my name at our new Carbon Offset and Reforestation project. This is my legacy and it’s actually affordable to do, which is why we decided to extend this opportunity to you.

What's at stake?

The Earth’s ecosystem is already showing a negative impact under current levels of climate change, which is modest compared to future projected changes. As well as warming temperatures, we can expect more frequent extreme weather events and changing patterns of rainfall and drought. This will have a significant impact on biodiversity.

From a human perspective, the impact of rapid climate change and an accelerating loss of biodiversity would literally risk human security. It could mean a major change in the food chain we depend on; water sources may change, recede or disappear; medicines and other resources we rely on could be harder to obtain as the plants and forna they come from reduce or disappear.

So, what are carbon offsets?

A carbon offset is a way to reduce, eliminate or compensate for your carbon emissions.

There are two ways you can do this. One is by preventing emissions from happening and the second is by capturing past emissions that are already in the atmosphere.

Preventing emissions could mean donating money towards the construction of a clean energy resource like a wind farm; while capturing emissions already in the atmosphere can be done through reforestation projects. We believe both offsets are valid and needed, but the primary purpose of the GVN project is the second method; offsetting carbon through reforestation and protecting our native forests.

Offsetting through reforestation captures carbon from the atmosphere over a number of years into the future. With the help of carbon sequestration experts, we’ve been able to calculate the number of trees we need to plant to offset your total emissions over your average expected life span. If you’re feeling like you are too insignificant to make a tangible difference, think again. Can you imagine removing more than 780 metric tonnes+ of carbon from the atmosphere to make your life carbon neutral?
+Based on western averages

Why would I offset my entire life?

Lots of people have asked me why I decided to make my life carbon-zero. Your reasons may be different, but these are my thoughts:

How do I know my offset will really go towards planting trees? And how do I know the trees won’t be cut down again in the future?

Uncertainty about the validity of carbon offsets is understandable and can be off-putting. I feel the same, which is why we’re undertaking this carbon offset and reforestation project in our own back yard... Or actually on New Zealand Department of Conservation (DOC) land not too far from our GVN offices.

Planting on DOC land means your trees will be forever protected from future deforestation. You can even visit the project and join in as a volunteer! Our New Zealand Nature Program volunteers will be assisting us with the planting and maintenance to help ensure the offset you make is the offset that actually happens.

Who else is offsetting their emissions?

I don’t think I’m one of thousands to make my life carbon-zero...yet! But I’m certainly not alone in choosing to make a carbon offset. In fact, it’s increasingly common amongst a diverse range of people and organisations. Here are just a few examples of those choosing to become carbon neutral:

I want to join the Carbon-Zero movement too! What do I need to do next?

You have two membership options. You could become a Carbon-Zero Club Founder or Carbon-Zero Club Associate:

Carbon-Zero Club Founder - One Off Payment Be part of this exclusive group by joining before 30 September 2010 and you will receive: Waived application fees So you can access all GVN programs, valid for LIFE. Valued at US$350 Sponsorship of native trees Planted in your name in our New Zealand reforestation project. Recycled wooden plaque Acknowledging your life offset. The plaque includes the number of trees planted and exact map coordinates to the area your trees are planted in! Organic cotton t-shirt Red with white text “I’ve joined the Carbon-Zero Movement – Will you?” IPad A 32GB Apple Ipad with the Eco-Ideas app valued at US$600. Grand Prize Entry into our grand prize draw to WIN one of TWO trips to NEW ZEALAND participating in the New Zealand Nature Program for two weeks, where you’ll get to help plant your carbon offset trees!! Each trip is valued at US$5,000.*

Carbon-Zero Club Associates - Monthly Payment We have unlimited places available in this group as we want hundreds, if not thousands of you to join our Carbon-Zero movement! As a Carbon-Zero Club Associate, you’ll receive: Sponsorship of native trees Planted in your name in our New Zealand reforestation project. Recycled wooden plaque Acknowledging your life offset. The plaque includes the number of trees planted and exact map coordinates to the area your trees are planted in! Organic cotton t-shirt Red with white text “I’ve joined the Carbon-Zero Movement – Will you?”

* Prize includes return flights to Wellington, New Zealand, flight offsets, your program fee covering placement in the New Zealand Nature Program, accommodation, food, project costs, supervision, an airport pickup and all transportation to and from the field projects. PLUS you’ll also receive US$500 spending money.

Find Out Your Carbon Footprint Today

The average Western individual has a carbon footprint of around 4.2 planet Earths, emitting around 787 metric tons of carbon over the course of their life at a cost of US $3997! How do you measure up? Take our Carbon Footprint Questionnaire today and choose which membership option you prefer.

Carbon Offset Questionnaire

Please complete all the following questions in order for us to accurately calculate your carbon footprint.

Want to know how we calculate your carbon footprint?

Find out more.

How do GVN's carbon offsets compare in price to other providers?

By keeping our carbon offset and reforestation project local to GVN and with the support of the New Zealand Nature Program volunteers and DOC, we’re able to offer you one of the lowest price offset options on the market, without compromising on the quality of our offset program.

Price Comparison:

* Monthly payments $6.12 per metric ton, normally $7.66.

I hope you'll join me in offsetting your life today.

Kind regards,

Colin Salisbury