Talking about sustainability and environmental protection has long been a trend. But companies are wise to put their money where their mouth is. After all, studies show that sustainable companies are more successful. What’s called for now is specific, measurable action that turns all those promises into tangible deeds. How can we all do something to help the planet? How can companies make a difference? For years now, we at ACT Translations have been saying it not with flowers but with trees. And everyone can join in. As part of our Christmas donation back in 2018, we launched our ACTree initiative and started planting trees all over the world.
Hand in hand with our partners at Tree-Nation, we are using this initiative to offset a significant amount of carbon. Why? Because we firmly believe that all companies – no matter what size they are and what industry they operate in – have a responsibility towads society, including both their staff and the planet as a whole.
When it comes to helping the environment, we put the ACT in “action”! As the old Chinese proverb says:
„Zu fällen einen schönen Baum braucht’s eine halbe Stunde kaum. Zu wachsen, bis man ihn bewundert, braucht er, bedenk es, ein Jahrhundert.“
Planting trees with the click of a mouse
Our clients can take action instantly and help plant trees with just a few mouse clicks. As a Christmas gift from us, many of our partners, translators and employees received a card with a link. When they followed that link, they could plant and personalize their own tree. Each individual then received information about their tree, where it was planted and how much carbon it offsets. All our new employees also receive a tree when we welcome them to the company.
What does that mean in practice? A single moringa oleifera tree in Nicaragua, for example, offsets 380 kilograms (about 838 pounds) of carbon during its lifetime! How does that amount compare to the emissions many of us cause in our daily lives? When a car drives around 2,250 km (1,400 miles), it spews 500 kg (1,100 pounds) of CO2 into the atmosphere. Just 2 moringa oleifera trees, 2 caesalpinia trees in Kenya or 2 vochysia trees in Tanzania can offset that. In recent years, ACT Translations and our customers have planted enough trees around the world to offset about 720 tons of CO2 – a total of 3,059 trees that reforested more than 26,300 square meters (6 1/2 acres) of land. It’s a small step. But it’s just the first of many, and we will continue to beat the drum in our efforts to make the world a little greener. In addition, our offices are virtually paper-free.
Our future depends on intact forests
Our planet’s green lungs are the basis for the existence of 80% of all species that live on land and the source of 75% of the world’s fresh water. More than a billion people live in or near forests, including many indigenous groups. With the publication of the “Deforestation Fronts: Drivers and Responses in a Changing World” report, the nature-conservation organization WWF sounds the call that the future of human beings, wild animals and nature hinges on healthy forests. According to the study, it is high time we started valuing nature for everything that it provides us, focusing especially on forests.
At ACT Translations, we’re all in. How about you? Our experienced professionals are delighted to help you and your team with translations in all subject areas – including your sustainability campaigns and related content.
