Media Release - 20 May 2003

Calculating the battle against global warming

Just how much do trees help in the battle to reduce the greenhouse gases contributing to global warming?

Driving the family car and generating the electricity used in the home are among the many human activities that generate greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide.

Trees remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and store the carbon, so helping in the battle against global warming.

How much do the trees in our gardens, parks, or school grounds offset the greenhouse gases we produce in our everyday lives?

A new web-based calculator developed by the Cooperative Research Centre for Greenhouse Accounting helps students and others to find the answer.

Using the Tree carbon calculator at http://www.greenhouse.crc.org.au anyone can estimate how much carbon is stored in a particular tree, and compare that to carbon emitted by their day-to-day activities.

The web site also includes extensive resource material on the carbon cycle, greenhouse gases, the greenhouse effect, and its likely impact on climate.

Interviews

Dr Chris Mitchell
CEO, CRC for Greenhouse Accounting
+61 (0)2 6125 4558

Media Liaison

Bruce Wright
CRC for Greenhouse Accounting
+61 (0)2 6125 5593
Mob: 0412 632 703