Environmental

   

Offsetting Carbon Emissions: can you afford an extra 1% to save our planet?

Transport is Australia's fastest growing source of greenhouse gas emissions.
In recognition of the importance in reducing these carbon emissions, the Scenic Day Tour Group has partnered with Greenfleet, a non profit organisation, to work towards offsetting the carbon emissions of the vehicles that we operate in our fleet. Whilst our commitment in 2010 will initially be small, we are hoping that over time and with the help of our customers we can generate enough to create our own forest, and offset our entire annual carbon emissions.

How it works

For each household car signed up, Greenfleet will plant 17 native trees at a cost of $40. These trees will help to create a forest, and as they grow will absorb the greenhouse gases that the vehicle produces in one year (based on 4.3 tonnes of CO2 for the average car).

Scenic Day Tour Groups Commitment

The Scenic Day Tour Group will commence our carbon-neutralisation campaign in January 2010. For each vehicle we currently have in our fleet, and from here on in when the Scenic Day Tour Group takes delivery of a new vehicle, we will make a commitment to donate $60 per vehicle each year for the life of that vehicle. This will equate to at least 116 tonnes CO2 being offset, which is equal to 27 average car emissions for a year! But we also need your help.

How you can help us

You can offset the carbon emissions from your vehicle charter or tour with a fully tax deductible donation. We suggest a 1% donation for vehicle charters, or a $2 per person donation for attending one of our tours. Please help the Scenic Day Tour Group reduce our carbon footprint.
We would also like our customers to consider signing up their own cars to the Greenfleet program and offsetting their carbon emissions. For more information please visit www.greenfleet.com.au

Who is Greenfleet?

Greenfleet was launched as a project in 1997, and Greenfleet Australia was established in 2001 as a non-profit environmental organisation.

What have Bernhard Weibel and his Family done around their home to Offset Carbon Emissions?

Used Sir Walter Turf (grass) as their chosen ground cover of course!

Turf is a source of pleasure for us as we live our lives, play with the kids, wrestle with the dog, go for a walk through the park or play sport. 

It also has environmental benefits - reducing carbon dioxide, acting as an air conditioner and reducing soil erosion.

Turf absorbs carbon from the atmosphere and stores it in the soil.  It has a greater ability to do this than trees, meaning it can also produce oxygen more efficiently.

Studies have shown that grass continues to store carbon even at high levels of carbon dioxide - unlike trees, that 'shut down' when overloaded.

Every day 15m2  of lawn provides all the oxygen needed by one person for that day.
 

Soil Erosion

Lawns help filter rainwater into the soil, preventing erosion and runoff of potential contaminants into water sources.

Turf is the most cost-effective method for controlling wind and water erosion.  turf promotes high populations of microorganisms in the thatch layer and topsoil, which act to break down impurities and filter the water before it enters the water table

 

Turf also ...

  • protects houses against bushfires: turfgrass around buildings helps retard the spread of fire
  • produces new soil: ‘grasscycling’ – leaving clippings on the lawn and allowing them to decay naturally – creates new soil  and releases nutrients as the clippings decompose
  • absorbs noise and can be especially helpful in urban areas. For example grassed slopes beside lowered motorways reduce noise 8 to 10 decibels

 

Your Green Air Conditioner

Turf makes the surrounding environment cooler and increases the cooling capacity of your home.  Properties with turf will be much cooler than properties surrounded only by pavers or concrete.

The temperature of a green lawn in mid summer can be:

  • 10°C less than bare soil
  • 20°C less than pavers or concrete

Grass functions as an air conditioner with the capability to cool, even in urban areas. The cooling power of turf helps conserve energy and save money as air-conditioning use can be significantly lowered.

One average front lawn has the cooling affect of 8.75 tonnes of air conditioning (an average home air conditioner only has a 4 tonne capacity), without the negative effects on the environment like carbon dioxide emissions.

 

Research studies have found that:

  • grassy areas create feelings of serenity, privacy, thoughtfulness, happiness or reflection
  • turf is the safest surface for outdoor leisure activities, games and sports
  • psychologically, the colour green makes us feel closer to nature and makes us feel rested
  • turf is usually the centerpiece of a garden and most people still regard a turfed yard as part of the Australian dream
  • and while many of us see it as a chore, mowing your lawn gets you outdoors and provides valuable cardiovascular exercise!