Blog

blog_milliontree_header_01

Blog_MillionTree_Header_01

The Million Tree Pledge: an effort to change the world  

<h3>“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world: indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” – Margaret Mead. </h3>
 
This quote really sums up what the <a href="https://www.milliontreepledge.org/">Million Tree Pledge</a>, as a movement, is trying to do. They’ve created a platform to connect and inspire small groups of people and businesses to make a commitment to plant 1 million trees each.

blog_milliontree_banner_01

Blog_MillionTree_Banner_01

The Million Tree Pledge is a group of businesses and ambitious individuals who have come together to take action and do something radical in response to the climate emergency. Each pledger has made a bold, two-part commitment to: 
<ol>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Plant over 1 million trees by a specific date (most pledgers have chosen 2030).</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Find at least two other pledgers to do the same, ensuring that the initiative grows organically and exponentially. </li>
</ol>
The Million Tree Pledge aims to have tens of thousands of pledgers in the next few years, collectively planting billions of trees around the world in the places where they are needed the most. This community is rising up, to draw carbon down from the atmosphere.

blog_milliontree_banner_02-1

Blog_MillionTree_Banner_02 (1)

There are many ways to change the world and many different things that are needed. However, at Ecologi, we believe that planting trees is a great way to start, and the folks at the Million Tree Pledge definitely agree with us there. It’s now common knowledge that <a href="https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/british-trees/how-trees-fight-climate-change/">one of the best tools to tackle the climate crisis and keep our temperatures from rising above 1.5°C is to plant trees</a>.
Trees are also crucial in preventing ecological collapse and preserving the world’s biodiversity. They provide habitat, shade, shelter and food for local wildlife, support local communities and stabilise soils to minimise the risk of natural hazards like landslides. They also help to purify air and water sources and even have a <a href="https://phys.org/news/2019-07-urban-trees-mental-health.html">positive effect on our mental health</a>.

blog_milliontree_banner_03

Blog_MillionTree_Banner_03

The founding members of the Million Tree Pledge were already drawing down their carbon footprints by planting trees through <a href="https://ecologi.com/">Ecologi</a>. A number of them had the same personal ambition of planting 1 million trees. When they realised this, Marcus Hemsley, one of the founders, came up with the idea of a pledge site where people could formally commit to planting 1 million trees and also encourage others to do the same. 
Launched on Earth Day 2021, there are already 34 individuals and businesses signed up to the Million Tree Pledge and 41 million trees have been pledged so far! The MTP has already collectively planted 6.1 million trees.

blog_milliontree_banner_04

Blog_MillionTree_Banner_04

The great thing about the Million Tree Pledge is that it is for everyone, with an emphasis on SMEs (small and medium sized enterprises), with ambitious sustainability goals. It’s all about providing small businesses with a way to have a massive impact by taking on a huge challenge and setting themselves ambitious targets that will involve making some changes and employing some pretty creative initiative and engineering in order to achieve them.
Some examples of businesses that have already committed to this challenge include <a href="https://ecologi.com/create">Create</a> (312k trees so far), <a href="https://ecologi.com/thrive">Thrive Accountants</a> (100k trees so far), and <a href="https://ecologi.com/propellernet">Propellernet</a> (337k trees so far).

blog_milliontree_banner_05

Blog_MillionTree_Banner_05

In August 2021, <a href="https://krystal.uk/">Krystal Hosting</a> became not only the first member of the Million Tree Pledger to <a href="https://www.milliontreepledge.org/pledgers/krystal">complete their pledge</a>, but also our first Ecologi partner to achieve <a href="https://ecologi.com/krystal">1 Million trees planted</a>!
We’re so proud to work with Krystal and we love seeing all their inspiring, planet-saving work. Planting 1 Million trees is only one part of Krystal’s wider green strategy which includes being one of the first website hosting services to be powered by 100% renewable energy, having their data centre facility supplied by 100% green power, and offering their staff incentive schemes to encourage all Krystal employees to switch to 100% renewable energy at home too.
A great many other businesses have signed up so far too! Check them out <a href="https://www.milliontreepledge.org/pledgers">here</a>.

blog_milliontree_banner_06

Blog_MillionTree_Banner_06

The Collective Forest - making the MTP accessible to all 

The Collective Forest is another amazing collective action story from our Million Tree Pledge community. Laura Gelder-Robertson from <a href="https://ecologi.com/glowinnovationlimited">Glow Innovation Limited</a> set up the Collective Forest as a way to make the Million Tree Pledge accessible to everyone – even the smallest of micro businesses! 
In order to join the Million Tree Pledge, businesses and individuals need to have 10,000 trees planted with Ecologi or another verified tree planting provider. (It’s important that these trees are planted with reputable providers to ensure they can be evidenced). This 10,000 tree buy-in is still a big reach for micro businesses, sole traders and new businesses just yet starting out, and some just can’t afford this outlay. So, to make the movement more accessible, Laura decided to start a collective forest in which smaller businesses could team up to work towards the goal of planting 1 million trees.  
On the first Monday of <a href="https://ecologi.com/articles/blog/cop26-what-is-it-and-how-did-it-come-about">COP26</a>, Laura marked the occasion by spending her entire life savings on planting 100,000 trees. She hoped to inspire others to join her in working as a team to reach 1 million trees, and this hope has already been proved possible. Small businesses that want to take part now just need to put forward 1000 trees to join Laura’s ‘Parent’ Ecologi forest and become part of the movement. This Collective Forest has already welcomed two new pledgers, <a href="https://ecologi.com/glowinnovationlimited/fineartbykirsteenthomson">Fine Art by Kirsteen Thomson</a> and <a href="https://ecologi.com/glowinnovationlimited/chloebullock">Materialise Interiors</a>. You can see how the Collective Forest works by viewing Laura’s <a href="https://ecologi.com/glowinnovationlimited">Glow Innovation Limited forest</a>.
In an<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vWeoF6n7dg0"> interview </a>with Marcus Hemsley, Laura talked about what drove her to start the Collective Forest. She said that she knew some of the pledgers, and everything they were talking about was about 100 times more ambitious than what she was thinking at the time. She thought  “I’m a one woman band – but what’s stopping me from becoming just as ambitious as them?” So, Laura pitched to the group that she could probably plant 100,000 trees, and probably find another 9 small businesses that could do the same, and it is certainly already looking that way. 
In this interview, Laura describes the warm reception she received from alumni at Cambridge University and how people high up in big businesses, sustainability and multinational corporations were just a little bit gobsmacked (as we all were!). If one person can pledge that much, it makes the 1 million trees that they planted as a massive business last year pale into insignificance. This was exactly Laura’s intention: getting everyone to amp up the ambition. She emphasises that it is all about doing everything we can to massively up the commitment from everyone. By throwing down the gauntlet to all businesses, we can make sure that everyone gets involved in the fight to reverse climate change and show the bigger businesses exactly how much is expected and needed from them. She says, “Time isn’t on our side”, and “it’s absolutely an emergency”, and that we need to act now.
&nbsp;

blog_milliontree_banner_07

Blog_MillionTree_Banner_07

In her interview, Laura mentions “The Hummingbird Mindset”. This is the African fable about a fire in a forest. While the fire rages through the trees, all the animals are watching in fear apart from the smallest hummingbird who keeps on filling its beak with water from the river to drop on the fire. It returns countless times in an effort to extinguish the fire. When asked by the other animals “what is it doing?” it replies, “I’m doing the most I can.” 
The message from this rings true in that if everyone did the best they could do, we would be so much more likely to be able to “put out the fire”, and halt and reverse climate change. Individuals and small businesses can and must do their part, whether that is pledging to plant 1 million trees with the <a href="https://www.milliontreepledge.org/">Million Tree Pledge</a>, or forming an <a href="https://ecologi.com/glowinnovationlimited">alliance</a> in order to do so. We have to all take action and do the most that we can – it’s the only way in which we actually can change the world.
<a href="https://ecologi.com/plan">Sign up today to take real climate action with Ecologi</a>.

blog_goodnews_header-1

Blog_GoodNews_Header (1)

Hopescrolling: The good news timeline

It’s not all bad. While there’s a lot of negative news about the climate, let’s not forget the good stuff. Find climate wins, reasons to be hopeful and plenty of positivity in our good news timeline.

The good news timeline

Ready to make a difference for our planet? Get in touch, and let’s chat about how we can help you on your climate journey. 

In Depth

july-bts-glenaros-flowers-yellow-2

July- BTS Glenaros-Flowers-Yellow

Just as we make sure all our reforestation projects are designed in a way that is most beneficial to our planet, our other terrestrial restoration projects need to be of the highest quality too. Wildflower, Wetlands and Wildlife projects have the potential to provide vital support to a wide array of species, boosting local, national and international biodiversity, as well as being an important and secure carbon store. But for these benefits to come to fruition the projects must be implemented properly, in line with best practices.
We know you might have some questions about this new type of project, so we’ve put together answers to some FAQs to help you learn more about our Wildflower, Wetlands and Wildlife project.

Your questions answered

blog_beforeafter_header

Blog_Before&After_Header

Before and after: See how your climate action is making a difference

Before and after: This is how your Ecologi impact is transforming landscapes and lives.

We love a before and after shot at Ecologi. They&#8217;re an incredible way to show the impact of the projects supported by our community. Whether it’s deforested land turning back to verdant green, or solar projects springing to life, sometimes two simple images are worth a thousand words.
On this blog you’ll find snapshot images that paint pictures of the difference our supported climate projects are making, all around the world. Thank you to our community for making it all possible! 
&nbsp;

📍 Location: Ouarzazate, Morocco
⌛ Dates: 2015 –2020
🌱 Project: Verified Carbon Standard
🌳 Type: Solar energy

Morocco

blog_before_after_01blog_beforeafter_banner_morroco-solar

Blog_Before_After_01Blog_Before&After_Banner_Morroco solar

From a bare area of desert to a haven of clean energy. The Ouarzazate II solar project is a major milestone in Morocco&#8217;s journey towards a clean energy future. It is one of the largest concentrated solar power plants in the world and is expected to supply around 500 GWh per year to Morocco’s power grid.
The project uses thousands of concave mirrors to concentrate solar energy and generate electricity, which can be stored for up to 7 hours. This allows the project to continue generating electricity even after the sun sets.
The Ouarzazate II solar project supplies electricity to nearly 2 million Moroccans and will prevent emissions equivalent to 300,544 tCO2e per year over its 10 year crediting period. The project has also created around 7,000 local jobs and incorporated co-projects that promote the creation of cooperatives, educational opportunities, and skills training.
Learn more about this<a href="https://ecologi.com/projects/morocco-solar"> project</a>.

📍 Location: Brodoclea, North Ayrshire, Scotland
⌛ Dates: 2018 –2021
🌱 Project: Future Forest Company
🌳 Type: Temperate reforestation

Scotland

blog_beforeafter_banner_scotland-2

Blog_Before&After_Banner_Scotland

Nestled in North Ayrshire, Brodoclea is a sprawling 174-hectare haven of broadleaf woodland that plays host to woolly pigs, the incredible ecological restoration engineers! 
Under <a href="https://thefutureforestcompany.com/">The Future Forest Company</a>&#8216;s guidance, these pigs awaken the soil seed bank, nourish soil microbiology, create space for sapling growth, reduce competition, and form pondlets for breeding amphibians and invertebrates. This enriches the ecosystem, offering sustenance for birds and materials for nests. 
Since 2018, the Ecologi community has helped make a significant impact on this site, funding the planting of 56,170 trees, with a focus on native broadleaf species including oak and birch, creating important habitat for local invertebrate and bird species.

📍 Location: Belavenika, Madagascar.
⌛ Dates: 2019 –2022
🌱 Project: Eden Reforestation Projects
🌳 Type: Mangrove reforestation

Madagascar

blog_beforeafter_banner_madagascar-belavenika

Blog_Before&After_Banner_Madagascar (Belavenika)

Madagascar’s mangroves are amazing habitats that, sadly, have been deforested over the years and become degraded. This project is one of three currently being supported by the Ecologi community that are replanting mangroves in Madagascar to bring benefits to local biodiversity and communities.
Creating new sustainable income streams for local people is a key component of the project, as is female empowerment. The project employs an average of 85 people per month, with female employees making up approximately 37.5% of the workforce in 2022.
As a result of their involvement in this project, local people are now able to purchase more nutritious food, leading to improved health, and can afford to send their children to school.
To date, the Ecologi community has funded 7.9 million trees on this site in north-west Madagascar.
&nbsp;

📍 Location: Marotaola, Madagascar.
⌛ Dates: 2019 –2022
🌱 Project: Eden Reforestation Projects
🌳 Type: Mangrove reforestation

blog_beforeafter_banner_madagascar-marotaola

Blog_Before&After_Banner_Madagascar (Marotaola)

This was the very first project we supported, so it holds a special place in our hearts. Seeing its progress over the last four years has brought us so much joy! 
Native mangrove species are being planted on this site, including Avicennia marina, Rhizophora mucronata, and Ceriops tagal. To date, the Ecologi community has funded the planting of over 10 million trees here, and there’s room for another million. 
This site is particularly fascinating as the mangroves are only separated from the open ocean by a thin strip of sand about 100m wide. Despite being more exposed to the ocean, mangroves that have successfully become established are growing well, creating an important habitat for coastal biodiversity and protecting the coastline from erosion by the waves.
&nbsp;

📍 Location: Vĩnh Hảo, Tuy Phong District, Bình Thuận, Vietnam
⌛ Dates: 2018 –2023
🌱 Project: Verified Carbon Standard
☀️ Type: Solar

Vietnam

blog_beforeafter_banner_vietnam

Blog_Before&After_Banner_Vietnam

Vietnam&#8217;s demand for energy has been rising sharply since the 1990s, and it’s a demand that the country has struggled to fulfil, with an overreliance on coal and frequent power outages.
This project, in the Vinh Hao commune, Vietnam, is generating electricity using photovoltaic technology, which transforms sunlight into electricity. The project is on around 60ha of salt farm, and will generate 83,750MWh of power annually.
Local people have been involved throughout the design phase and operation of the project. The construction process of the project was carefully managed to minimise the impact on the local environment. During the operation of the project, pollution will also be minimised through a series of measures, including ensuring no littering takes place, and waste materials will be responsibly disposed of off-site.
Over the 10-year crediting period, the project will prevent 704,110tCO2e from being emitted by replacing energy in the grid that would otherwise have come from fossil fuels.
The project has given a real boost to the living standards of local communities through economic support funds: the commune gratitude fund in the Vinh Hao commune, and the learning promotion fund in the Binh Thuan province.
&nbsp;

📍 Location: Mount Elgon, Uganda. 
⌛ Dates: 2021 – 2023
🌱 Project: Trees for the Future
🌳 Type: Reforestation and sustainable agroforestry

Uganda

blog_beforeafter_banner_uganda

Blog_Before&After_Banner_Uganda

Trees for the Future’s innovative Forest Gardens approach is all about engaging farmers in reforestation and sustainable agroforestry. The farmers take part in a 4-year programme, learning the skills they need to better manage their land. This brings multiple benefits, including protected crops, stabilised soils, and habitats for pollinators, as well as increasing household incomes.
Over the past two years, the Ecologi community has funded the planting of 766,663 trees in Forest Gardens through this project. Three hundred farmers (57% of whom are women) are involved, with 3,522 people benefitting from the project so far. 
Pictured is 56-year-old Philister Khana, a farmer enrolled in the programme. In just two years she’s taken the number of trees on her plot from 4 to 2,001!
&nbsp;

The Million Tree Pledge: an effort to change the world

What is the Million Tree Pledge?

Why trees?

The origin story

Who is the Million Tree Pledge for?

Krystal hosting

The Collective Forest - making the MTP accessible to all

The Hummingbird Mindset

More posts

Hopescrolling: The good news timeline

Your questions answered about our Wildflowers, Wetlands and Wildlife project

Before and after: See how your climate action is making a difference

Start making a difference today

Fund the best climate solutions

About

Take action

Members

Resources

Follow us

© 2023 Ecologi

We send good things