Carter
Motors
Planting
a
TALKING POINTS
Climate change is a serious
global issue caused largely when carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere
through the burning of fossil fuels. But
there are things we can do about this important issue, like working toward
carbon neutrality.
For each car test-driven
at Carter Subaru, Carter Volkswagen and Carter Saab, one tree will be planted
in the Mountains to Sound Greenway, funded by Carter Motors.
For each car purchased,
three additional trees will be planted.
The idea is simple, to
offset a year of the carbon emissions of your car, 4 trees have been planted
(1 at your test drive and 3 upon purchase).
Those trees will live their lives here locally in the Mountains to
Sound Greenway, and will actively be absorbing tons of carbon dioxide from
the atmosphere. Over their lives (average
life of 70 years for Northwest trees), these 4 trees will absorb one year
of carbon emissions of a car getting 21 miles to the gallon that is driven
12,000 miles.
Other benefits of the
trees:
- In addition to neutralizing greenhouse gases,
these trees will also provide critical wildlife habitat.
- These trees will also help in water storage.
Forests act as sponges in times of heavy rain or snow, absorbing
and then slowly releasing water, a critical function in decreasing flooding
downstream.
- This reduction in flooding helps protect fragile
Northwest salmon habitat. Additionally, trees planted along streams and
rivers help cool the water temperatures in these waterways to levels that
keep salmon healthy.
- Lastly, forested hillsides are a vital part
of our Northwest identity. Through
this partnership with the Mountains to Sound Greenway, we are ensuring that
we will have permanently protected forests right on the edge of our cities
for future generations. These forests
are places where we will be able to hike and play forever.
The Mountains
to Sound Greenway is the scenic, historic and recreation corridor along Interstate
90. This landscape stretches 100 miles
from the
In addition to acquiring
key connecting parcels of forestland in the Greenway, the non-profit Mountains
to Sound Greenway Trust builds trails and restores damaged natural areas within
the corridor. The Greenway Trust is
helping to ensure permanent protection for this magnificent corridor through
its education program, Seeking Solutions,
its Volunteer Program where groups help restore and improve these lands, and
by holding its summer Greenway Days festival to entice urban dwellers out
to enjoy the Greenway.
Tree Planting Details:
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Trees will be planted
in the fall of each year in the Greenway corridor. Trees will be planted on public open space lands
managed by local cities,
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Over 15 species of
Northwest Native Trees will be planted, including Western Red Cedar, Douglas
Fir, Sitka Spruce, Red Alder and Western Hemlock.
v
The Greenway Trust
will coordinate the planting each fall and hosts volunteer planting events.
The Greenway welcomes individuals or groups to volunteer to transform
landscapes. (To volunteer, visit mtsgreenway.org for a list of events.)
Other things one can do
to lessen your carbon footprint:
- Keep your car fully maintained. Cars that have are running smoothly get
better gas mileage. Cars with properly
inflated tires get better gas mileage. Better gas mileage equals less carbon emissions.
- Turn off your motor whenever possible instead
of letting your car idle.
- Combine car trips, walk to the grocery store
and carpool when you can.
YES! Count Me In to
Plant Additional Trees.
For more information on how to provide additional financial support to the
Greenway; download the flyer "Plant
A Tree" in the greenway
(2.49meg PDF)
Click HERE to find out more about
the
Mountains to Sound Greenway – mtsgreenway.org