Reusable water bottles, paper straws, compostable packaging, bamboo everything. These items have become commonplace in society today, with many people actively making more sustainable choices. Of course, every little helps, but when it comes to impactful and long-lasting change, a lot of that responsibility lies with businesses. Not only are large organizations able to make more of an impact simply due to their size and reach, but their offerings have a ripple effect for further sustainable choices to be made at the individual level.
“Government and individual actions are vital to addressing climate change, but corporations, with their outsized influence and power in today’s world, have an even larger role to play,” says Josh Axelrod of the Natural Resources Defense Council.
It's no longer enough for companies to just focus on profits. The public expects more, and rightly so. According to the Harvard Business School, 70% of Americans believe it's crucial for companies to work towards making the world a better place. On top of that, 77% of consumers are more likely to buy from companies committed to making a positive impact.
There are many ways for organizations to make sustainability a priority, but one such way is by planting trees. There are questions around the efficacy of carbon offsetting, since a reduction in fossil fuels would make more of an impact on our climate crisis, but the value of reforestation is fairly unanimous.
Nature’s carbon sequesters
Through photosynthesis, trees absorb carbon dioxide and store carbon in their leaves, branches, and roots. In doing so, they reduce the amount of carbon in our atmosphere, thereby reducing the Greenhouse effect, which is heating our planet and causing climate change. Reforestation organization One Tree Planted estimates that a single tree can absorb 10kg of carbon dioxide per year.
Biodiversity boosters
“The greater the range and number of these plant, fungi, microbe and animal species - or the more biodiverse an area is - the healthier an area's ecosystem is considered to be,” according to the Woodland Trust. Trees support biodiversity by providing habitats, regulating temperatures, retaining moisture, and improving soil quality, creating a haven for diverse plant and animal life. Diversity in tree species also increases the success rate of planting, ensuring that our green efforts today will thrive for generations.
Sustainable incomes for communities
There’s a whole host of other environmental benefits from reforestation, including reduced air pollution and protection against soil erosion. But it's not just about the environment. Tree planting has become a pathway to sustainable livelihoods for many communities. By engaging local communities, these efforts not only plant trees; they also plant seeds of economic growth and stability.
At Orbus Software, we believe in the power of reforestation. That’s why in early 2023 we partnered with One Tree Planted, donating to its projects wherever we can. Over the year, that resulted in 420 new trees. And we’re only just getting started. Check out our OrbAid page for more information on our ESG efforts.