To receive Carbonfund.org’s CarbonFree® Product Certification, the carbon footprints of the Tandus carpets were calculated though an intensive life-cycle assessment (LCA), the footprints were reduced where possible and the remainder was neutralized through support of our third-party validated Tensas River National Wildlife Refuge Reforestation Project.

Further, with their efforts to conserve energy and utilize renewable energy along with their use of recycled materials in their products, Tandus is demonstrating that carpeting can be beautiful, functional and have a smaller environmental impact.

Tandus creates floorcovering solutions that enhance spaces for learning, working, healing, and living through inspired design, leading-edge technology, achievement toward sustainability, and a commitment to continued leadership.  Tandus offers its customers single-source innovative product design and technology, comprehensive services, and environmental leadership. Based in Dalton, GA, Tandus can be found online at www.tandus.com.

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Ecosystem Marketplace released a new report today entitled, State of the Forest Carbon Markets 2009: Taking Root & Branching Out, that details the history of the forest carbon markets and the great progress that was made in 2009. The report outlines trends in the market, and notes recent upswings in activity.

Carbonfund.org has a long history of supporting forest-based carbon offset projects. Currently, Carbonfund.org supports projects in Louisiana, Nicaragua, Brazil, and China that are reducing carbon and improving local environments.

Deforestation and forest degradation account for around 20% of global warming causing greenhouse gas emissions — more than the global transportation sector. Forest-based carbon reduction projects actually sequester emissions (or take carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere) and have been an effective way to help balance out these emissions. The projects Carbonfund.org supports also help protect or restore habitats, preserve biodiversity and have other benefits for the environment and local communities.

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Deforestation is responsible for over 20% of global greenhouse gas emissions, more than all the world’s cars and trucks combined. The Coalition for Rainforest Nations wants slow the rate of deforestation by initiating a mechanism known as REDD+ (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation). Through REDD+, the United Nations will issue carbon credits for each hectare of living rainforest giving landowners a financial incentive to keep their land forested instead of logging it.

Anvil Knitwear, Inc, a leading manufacturer of socially and environmentally responsible apparel and accessories, provided eco-friendly T-shirts from its AnvilSustainable™ collection. Each shirt is made with a blend of recycled polyester, derived from approximately three recycled plastic bottles and transitional cotton that comes from farms that are converting to organic farming methods, a three-year process required for receiving organic certification.

Anvil Knitwear is also supporting rainforest protection through their partnership with Carbonfund.org.  Earlier this year the AnvilRecyled™ tees received our CarbonFree® Product Certification. To meet rigorous standards of the CarbonFree® Product Certification Program, Anvil assessed the carbon footprint of the recycled tee throughout its lifecycle, from raw materials sourcing, manufacturing and transportation to screen printing, consumer use and disposal. Anvil made the tee carbon neutral by reducing emissions during the production process and by supporting the Return to Forest reforestation project in Nicaragua.   To learn more about all of Anvil’s impressive sustainability efforts, please visit www.anvilknitwearcsr.com.

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The event, the Support REDD+ Gala in Copenhagen at the COP15 conference, was hosted by The Coalition for Rainforest Nations and the governments of Gabon, Guyana and Papua New Guinea.

Return to Forest and Tengchong are in southwestern Nicaragua and southwestern China, respectively. In addition to their ecological benefits, the projects benefit local communities by providing, for example, tree planting or other economic opportunities. Also, the reforestation projects will each sequester about 170,000 metric tons of CO2 in their lifetime.

Please donate now to support these important projects that are fighting global warming today! Learn more about What is Missing? and Maya Lin at www.carbonfund.org/unchopatree.

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Choose to reduce from 1 ton to 50 tons, or take care of someone’s annual carbon footprint and the planet with a ZeroCarbon™ Individual or ZeroCarbon™ Family gift. The average carbon footprint of an American is a whopping 24 tons of emissions a year. There are also options to offset the carbon footprint of someone’s car or home. Your recipient gets a framable e-certificate in recognition of this support, and this year Carbonfund.org offers a Tree Bonus and Chico Bag Bonus.

For every $20 you donate to support carbon reductions from the Carbonfund.org holiday page, Carbonfund.org will plant a tree in your honor. Also, for every $50, you receive a Carbonfund.org Chico Bag, which are lightweight and reusable for shopping or use as a tote for books and other items.

This year, give something that’s meaningful and at a price you can afford. Give the gift of a cleaner planet. Earn your tree and Carbonfund.org Chico Bag bonuses today.

Visit the Carbonfund.org holiday page.

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The Tensas River National Wildlife Refuge Reforestation Project will restore approximately 1,870 acres of native bottomland hardwood forest that will re-establish habitat for an estimated 400 species of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and fish including threatened and endangered species such as the Louisiana Black Bear and the Florida Panther. The newly forested area will also benefit the local community by providing suitable areas for hiking and biking, a destination for school groups and an opportunity for nature photography.

Reforestation and forest preservation carbon offset projects are part of the global warming solution. Forest-based carbon offset projects fight climate change by sequestering carbon dioxide emissions from the atmosphere in trees and soil and have many co-benefits for the community and local wildlife. Forest preservation creates jobs, maintains and expands wildlife habitats, protects biodiversity, and improves local environmental quality.

This project was the first reforestation project in North America to be validated to both the Voluntary Carbon Standard and the Climate, Community and Biodiversity Standards. To learn more about this and other Carbonfund.org carbon offset projects visit www.carbonfund.org/projects.

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• Zero mercury
• Zero cadmium
• Zero lead
• Zero carbon footprint, courtesy of Carbonfund.org’s product certification program, featuring the first carbon neutral label in the US.

The Venom Power Eco Alkaline batteries have been certified carbon neutral after a detailed product life-cycle assessment. The assessment tracks carbon emissions, identified areas for emissions reductions, and offset the emissions that could not be avoided – like emissions generated in the manufacturing process.

Venom chose to support our Paso Pacifico Return to Forest reforestation project. Validated by the Rainforest Alliance to the Climate, Community and Biodiversity Standards with Gold Distinction, the Return to Forest Project is helping to reforest as well as reconnect critical biological corridors along Nicaragua’s Pacific coast. The project also brings economic opportunities to local communities while sequestering about 170,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

Venom’s Eco Alkaline batteries are progressive, high quality consumer batteries with dependable performance. The batteries will begin shipping to retailers throughout North America during the fourth quarter this year. To learn more, please visit: www.venom-group.com.

Read more about our product certification program here.

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The Tengchong Conservation Carbon Project has had a positive effect on its surrounding environment, such as inhibiting the growth of invasive weed species, helping improve the local water quality and reduce erosion. Additionally, the project area is providing habitat for about 400 bird species and more than 150 mammals, including leopards, Malayan sun bears, and China’s only remaining Bengal tiger population.

The project is the first forest-based project to be validated to the Climate, Community and Biodiversity Standard with Gold Distinction. To learn more about Carbonfund.org’s projects, please visit www.carbonfund.org/projects.

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Providing an excellent source of calcium with no cholesterol, saturated fat, trans fat, or lactose, Veggie boasts a simplified ingredient list that research demonstrates is preferable by five out of seven consumers.  The cheese alternative is available in slices, shreds, blocks, and a grated topping, with flavors including Cheddar, Pepper Jack, American, Swiss, Mozzarella, and more.

Galaxy Nutritional Foods offsets its shipping emissions with Carbonfund.org.  Their unique program allows their customers to vote on project type, allowing Galaxy to support reforestation, energy efficiency, and renewable energy carbon offset projects.  To learn more about Galaxy Nutritional Foods and to vote on their offsets, visit Galaxy Foods.

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Grimsley High School

Recent Grimsley High School graduate Will Leimenstoll of Greensboro, North Carolina set a great example of how to reduce what you can, offset what you can’t.

As Grimsley High School’s Sierra Club president this year, Leimenstoll applied for a $2,000 grant through Greensboro’s Teen Grant-Making Council.  Sponsored by the Community Foundation of Greensboro the grant was intended to help the students make their school greener.

Upon winning the grant, the first expense went to support a professional energy audit.  After receiving the results they decided to use the money to buy caulk and caulk classrooms throughout the school, and to buy Kill-A-Watt™ devices that will be used by the club to advise school leaders and teachers on how to save the most energy possible in future years.

With half of the grant spent on energy efficiency measures for the school students decided to spend the other half on Carbonfund.org reforestation offsets that are third-party verified. This donation means that Grimsley High School is offsetting 100 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions on top of the energy savings already made by the students.

Congratulations Will and the rest of the Grimsley High School Sierra Club. Keep up the good work in your future endeavors!

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