27th February 2008

Carbon offsetting opportunity for York residents

As the current executive member for Leisure & heritage on City of York Council, Christian is absolutely delighted to be able to announce today that the Parks & Open Spaces Department is launching a scheme to enable residents to have trees planted in York to offset the CO2 emissions from their carbon footprint.

Christian said: 'Whether you have a small garden or no garden at all or simply want to see more trees across the city, I am delighted to have been able to bring the city a carbon offsetting plant a tree scheme.'

'York has fewer trees than most other local authorities across the region. We all know that trees absorb and fix carbon. They also have a major part to play in maintaining biodiversity, providing shade and making our city a better place to live.'

There are numerous opportunities to invest in trees on the internet but these are always far away and it is sometimes difficult to have confidence either that the trees will be planted or that they will be looked after during the first crucial years after planting.

Christian said, 'The council scheme I am announcing today not only guarrantees that the trees will be planted in York but also that they will be looked after. This is yet another example of the work I and the Liberal Democrat administration have been doing with council officers to improve the environmental record of action in this city.'

Christian will be putting up his own money next week to launch the scheme with a tree planted in one of the city's parks.

Published and promoted by Christian Vassie, 10 Blake Court, Wheldrake, York YO19 6BT