Every 1 Car Equal to 90 Trees

Currently, large industrial companies, including automotive companies were vying to show that their company is an environmentally friendly company.

Many of those who did compensate plant trees to reduce air pollution from the production process of their product. The question, whether it is proportional to the number of trees they grow to the size of the air pollution they produce?

To find it, we must know the capability to neutralize and absorb carbon dioxide (CO2) from the trees and how much carbon dioxide generated by their products.

Meteorologists from the Bandung Institute of Technology (Institut Teknologi Bandung/ITB), Zadrach L Dupe, says that the fanfare of planting one tree for one automotive product at all worth it. The absorption of carbon dioxide by immature trees is not optimum.

"Now look, let's say one car is the best hybrid once, in a year produces about 3 tons of carbon dioxide. Especially the cars of non-hybrid, most of it can be produce up to 10 tons of carbon dioxide per year," he said. That is not appropriate when automotive company plant only one tree in compensation for each their car produced. "It's just like lying to people, trying to show that they are environmentally friendly. Due to the immature trees absorb carbon dioxide can not be optimal. Instead of new trees, mature trees is not able to absorb up to a ton of carbon dioxide," he added.

On that occasion, Zadrach also explained that one palm tree can absorb and neutralize 58.88 kg of CO2 in one year, a mature rubber tree can absorb 144.50 kg of CO2 per year, one mature pitaya tree can absorb 49.60 kg CO2 per year, and a mature gambier tree can absorb 24.81 kg of CO2 per year.

A cartoon of the global carbon cycle. Pools (in black) are gigatons (1Gt = 1x10⁹ Tons) of carbon, and fluxes (in purple) are Gt carbon per year. (Picture from: http://www.visionlearning.com/)

"If we look at the absorption capability of mature trees is certainly very lame with carbon dioxide produced vehicles available, 1 ton equal to 1,000 kg. Well, if the ability of mature rubber trees are the greatest absorption than other trees can absorb only one tenth ton, meaning how many trees should be we planted the rubber tree to absorb carbon dioxide for one car, " said Zadrach again. He also calculate the average carbon dioxide produced by vehicles and the absorption of carbon dioxide by mature trees. The average production of CO2 equivalent of one car that is 6.3 tons per year. And, the ability of the average absorption of CO2 by mature trees 70 kg per year. "Therefore, we can conclude to neutralize greenhouse gas emissions is every 1 car takes 90 mature trees," said Zadrach.

On that occasion, Zadrach also explained about carbon trading. Carbon trading is the selling ability of trees to absorb the amount of carbon contained in the atmosphere in order to be stored in tree biomass for the specified time.

"The whole point of carbon trading is merely participating in the reduction of global greenhouse gas emissions and a reduction in the carbon content in the atmosphere while benefiting from the sale of carbon sequestration environmental services by developing countries as an additional activity of the initial activity, business as usual, which is went well. added value required is in the form of added value to the economy of local communities and a better environment, "said Zadrach again.

Zadrach expect the government's efforts in the countries of the world to reduce greenhouse gas effects could be more serious. The programs are run should really coordinated and sustainable. *** [FEBY SYARIFAH | PIKIRAN RAKYAT 08112012]

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