Trees combat climate change
2007-04-25
ON Friday Backsberg Estate Cellars distributed 907 indigenous trees to homeowners in the village of Klapmuts as part of a campaign to reduce the estate’s carbon footprint and to celebrate International Earth Day.
Backsberg is the first wine producer in South Africa and one of only three in the world to gain a carbon neutral status by sequestrating its carbon emissions through the planting of trees.
In January, Backsberg completed a comprehensive carbon audit initiated to assess the consequences of carbon emitted over the last financial year by its farming and wine-making activities.
The carbon audit reviewed all activities, from overall energy consumption to CO2 emitted during fermentation, and a total number of trees to be planted to offset carbon emitted by the estate was conclusively determined.
Indigenous trees were distributed to the Klapmuts homeowners by national greening organisation Food & Trees for Africa through its Carbon Standard and award winning Trees for Homes and National Tree Distribution programmes.
In addition to sinking carbon, one of the major greenhouse gases and a primary contributor to climate change, these trees will contribute to improved water, energy, soil and noise management, the enrichment of lives and the cultivation of healthier and more sustainable communities.
“Care for the environment means care and concern for succeeding generations.
"As custodians of the land, it is our duty to understand and recognise potential threats, and to mitigate against them for the benefit of the next generation,” remarked an environmentally and socially concerned Michael Back (proprietor of Backsberg) who has already managed to rescue several plant species from extinction by reserving 10% of his land for non-development and preservation of the endangered “Fynbos” biome.
Back’s approach is fitting to the ethics undertaken by those in support of Earth Day which was celebrated worldwide on 22 April.
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