FAQ
Tree credits explained in 10 Questions & Answers
Can trees solve the global warming problem?
Enough trees (50Bn?) will solve the CO2 problem; trees inhale CO2, exhale O2 and store the C as wood. Wood is a valuable building material and has many other uses. So as long the tree is growing or the wood is used in a durable way, carbon will be fixed and the problem of excess CO2 emissions can be solved this way without using too many scarce resources.
Why grow trees?
Trees produce O2, wood, shade and often fruits, nuts, fodder, rubber, cork, nitrogen and many more and it provides a habitat for animals, plants, mushrooms and …humans; trees, orchards and sustainably managed forests give food and livelihood to the people around.
Also trees and forest have a positive effect on water tables and the micro climate, may be even on the general climate.
Why pay for planting trees?
Many trees are planted or saved by farmers and volunteers, with no compensation given for the global benefits trees bring. So it is fair to pay up, but also paying for tree planting is an effective way to support the rural poor in a way which makes them proud and with little risk of corruption. Financial incentives will also be the method to get billions of trees planted all over the globe. The scheme will open up a new, simple venue for the rural poor to generate an income and to give them security for the future.
Enough capital inflow will revitalize the villages and empower farming families. See the recent Namibia experience with basic loan for the poor.
Why limit the number of trees planted per family or other unit?
Besides subsidising forestry at village level to fight CO2, this scheme is meant to bring a steady income to the poor. So it is not meant for big forestry companies, who might be cheaper (not sure!), but if they organize the planting from top down lots of money is needed for surveys, overheads and later for maintenance, leaving the villagers as poor and sometimes driven of their land. So to discourage big companies (for them there should be another scheme) and big landowners, the number of trees should be limited to 600-1000 trees per year and the potential annual income to about $2000, – per family, school, hospital, church, mosque or company.
How to monitor the amount of trees planted and growing?
Tree planting is relatively easy to monitor, since trees are fixed in place and can also be counted by satellite (at least forest cover and the health of the trees can be inspected, but even individual trees can often be spotted from the sky). To prevent fraud we have to learn from the micro credit schemes, which use groups and peer pressure to make individuals comply with repayment schemes. So Tree Clubs have to be formed in the villages, if possible as branches of already existing societies. These in turn will be monitored by local NGOs with a good reputation and so on up to an international audit
How to get billions of trees planted?
If all 3rd world farmers plant 100 trees, this is plenty. But how to reach this billion+ rural folk? By national campaigns preferable by radio and tv; by demonstration projects and word of mouth, but foremost but making it financially attractive enough so that everybody want to profit and plant its maximum of trees for that country.
Regional tree clubs will play a major role in initiating the scheme; they should get a small incentive for each tree planted, for informing the new local tree clubs and handing over starting parcels with info and seeds and for there role in irrigation and tree protection schemes and for initiating other energy (saving) schemes.
Is it difficult to grow trees?
In principle we rely on the local knowledge of the rural folk, they have to decide where, when and how to plant which tree species most suited to the local environment, which might vary widely. In semi-arid areas watering young saplings is needed, while protection against goats an other animals is foremost. The first 10 years the sapling is still venerable, that is why the tree grower is paid during 10 years for caring for the trees. The local efforts will be supported from all levels with input of knowledge, research and climate-adapted seeds; again regional tree clubs play a large role to collect and disseminate tree growing related news.
Who owns the trees planted with tree credits?
If the trees are planted on own land the ownership is clear, the grower owns the tree and all it products. If the trees are planted on others private land or on communal or state land the grower should make an arrangement with the landowner, for instance use of the land against a part of the potential timber value. The tree club will conduct collective negotiations if needed, also on regional level and in case of government land on a national level. But the tree club has also a claim; by accepting payments the grower promises to replant any dead tree an pay part of any timber proceeds to the club to plant more trees.
Who will pay for the scheme?
The billions needed to finance this scheme over 20 years ($10+ each tree) should come from various sources:
- carbon credits (Kyoto protocol or proposed Copenhagen protocol)
- government funds to help poorer nations to combat global warming,
- from rural development budgets
- corporate sponsoring and merchandising
- donations generated by campaigns, carbon compensation
All money and reservations could go into one big fund, the Tree Credit Authorities, possible a UN body. Payments will made directly into the bank accounts of the tree growers itself or at least the local tree club account. That is why the tree club are preferred to be linked to credit unions. If there are really no rural banks, money have to be hand delivered in cash or kind. Payments can be made yearly or monthly.
Will it work and will it happen?
I am not a prophet… the scheme looks good, just what is needed right now and it looks feasible, in the mould of the latest development models (like micro credits and other profit driven scheme) and the money needed stays within the targets for Copenhagen. I am just starting with its promotion but with the Internet this tree credit concept could spread quickly and might be supported by many helpful individuals or organisations quickly and it is likely to reach the press and the politicians, if we target them. But I foresee some powerful opposition because a lot of money have to be shifted away from consultants, fieldworkers, government departments, multinationals, meetings, conferences, travel and all other headings use to cover up waste and corruption; all these people and lobbyist will not give up without a long fight. They will demand more research and meetings and conferences and trials to prove scientifically that all is working well, till we are 10 years further and many more pockets are lined.
Only massive public support and mobilisation of the press might sway politics away from business as usual, from aid an charity an patronizing attitudes and invest directly in the rural poor.
The times are changing! Be part of the solution.
Tree credits explained in 10 questions
Can trees solve the global warming problem?
Enough trees (50Bn?) will solve the CO2 problem; trees inhale CO2, exhale O2 and store the C as wood. Wood is a valuable building material and has many other uses. So as long the tree is growing or the wood is used in a durable way, carbon will be fixed and the problem of excess CO2 emissions can be solved this way without using too many scarce resources.
Why growing trees?
Trees produce O2, wood, shade and often fruits, nuts, fodder, rubber, cork, nitrogen and many more and it provides a habitat for animals, plants, mushrooms and …humans; trees, orchards and sustainably managed forests give food and livelihood to the people around.
Also trees and forest have a positive effect on water tables and the micro climate, may be even on the general climate.
Why pay for planting trees?
Many trees are planted or saved by farmers and volunteers, with no compensation given for the global benefits trees bring. So it is fair to pay up, but also paying for tree planting is an effective way to support the rural poor in a way which makes them proud and with little risk of corruption. Financial incentives will also be the method to get billions of trees planted all over the globe. The scheme will open up a new, simple venue for the rural poor to generate an income and to give them security for the future.
Enough capital inflow will revitalize the villages and empower farming families. See the recent Namibia experience with basic loan for the poor.
Why limit the number of trees planted per family or other unit?
Besides subsidising forestry at village level to fight CO2, this scheme is meant to bring a steady income to the poor. So it is not meant for big forestry companies, who might be cheaper (not sure!), but if they organize the planting from top down lots of money is needed for surveys, overheads and later for maintenance, leaving the villagers as poor and sometimes driven of their land. So to discourage big companies (for them there should be another scheme) and big landowners, the number of trees should be limited to 600-1000 trees per year and the potential annual income to about $2000, – per family, school, hospital, church, mosque or company.
How to monitor the amount of trees planted and growing?
Tree planting is relatively easy to monitor, since trees are fixed in place and can also be counted by satellite (at least forest cover and the health of the trees can be inspected, but even individual trees can often be spotted from the sky). To prevent fraud we have to learn from the micro credit schemes, which use groups and peer pressure to make individuals comply with repayment schemes. So Tree Clubs have to be formed in the villages, if possible as branches of already existing societies. These in turn will be monitored by local NGOs with a good reputation and so on up to an international audit
How to get billions of trees planted?
If all 3rd world farmers plant 100 trees, this is plenty. But how to reach this billion+ rural folk? By national campaigns preferable by radio and tv; by demonstration projects and word of mouth, but foremost but making it financially attractive enough so that everybody want to profit and plant its maximum of trees for that country.
Regional tree clubs will play a major role in initiating the scheme; they should get a small incentive for each tree planted, for informing the new local tree clubs and handing over starting parcels with info and seeds and for there role in irrigation and tree protection schemes and for initiating other energy (saving) schemes.
Is it difficult to grow trees?
In principle we rely on the local knowledge of the rural folk, they have to decide where, when and how to plant which tree species most suited to the local environment, which might vary widely. In semi-arid areas watering young saplings is needed, while protection against goats an other animals is foremost. The first 10 years the sapling is still venerable, that is why the tree grower is paid during 10 years for caring for the trees. The local efforts will be supported from all levels with input of knowledge, research and climate-adapted seeds; again regional tree clubs play a large role to collect and disseminate tree growing related news.
Who owns the trees planted with tree credits?
If the trees are planted on own land the ownership is clear, the grower owns the tree and all it products. If the trees are planted on others private land or on communal or state land the grower should make an arrangement with the landowner, for instance use of the land against a part of the potential timber value. The tree club will conduct collective negotiations if needed, also on regional level and in case of government land on a national level. But the tree club has also a claim; by accepting payments the grower promises to replant any dead tree an pay part of any timber proceeds to the club to plant more trees.
Who will pay for the scheme?
The billions needed to finance this scheme over 20 years ($10+ each tree) should come from various sources:
- carbon credits (Kyoto protocol or proposed Copenhagen protocol)
- government funds to help poorer nations to combat global warming,
- from rural development budgets
- corporate sponsoring and merchandising
- donations generated by campaigns, carbon compensation
All money and reservations could go into one big fund, the Tree Credit Authorities, possible a UN body. Payments will made directly into the bank accounts of the tree growers itself or at least the local tree club account. That is why the tree club are preferred to be linked to credit unions. If there are really no rural banks, money have to be hand delivered in cash or kind. Payments can be made yearly or monthly.
Will it work and will it happen?
I am not a prophet… the scheme looks good, just what is needed right now and it looks feasible, in the mould of the latest development models (like micro credits and other profit driven scheme) and the money needed stays within the targets for Copenhagen. I am just starting with its promotion but with the Internet this tree credit concept could spread quickly and might be supported by many helpful individuals or organisations quickly and it is likely to reach the press and the politicians, if we target them. But I foresee some powerful opposition because a lot of money have to be shifted away from consultants, fieldworkers, government departments, multinationals, meetings, conferences, travel and all other headings use to cover up waste and corruption; all these people and lobbyist will not give up without a long fight. They will demand more research and meetings and conferences and trials to prove scientifically that all is working well, till we are 10 years further and many more pockets are lined.
Only massive public support and mobilisation of the press might sway politics away from business as usual, from aid an charity an patronizing attitudes and invest directly in the rural poor.
The times are changing! Be part of the solution.
