CanopyCo - Reforesting Ecuador with your help

We work closely with CanopyCo to carbon offset everything we do. CanopyCo is an Ecuadorian based organization managed by local and European professionals dedicated to reforesting Ecuador’s native forests for the benefit of the climate, the local community and, of course, Ecuador’s phenomenal flora and fauna.

Through our partnership with CanopyCo, we have carefully calculated all the emissions Columbus Travel generates. Our entire operation has been included; from the bus rides our staff take to the office to the electricity used by the computers. In addition to our office emissions, we even carbon offset all the emissions from the services we provide to our clients from airport transfers and from ALL the mainland tours (city tours, trips to Otavalo, Cuenca etc). CanopyCo has determined how many trees need to be planted in order to absorb the carbon dioxide emissions using UK and USA government standards. Rest assured that from the moment you arrive at the airport to the moment you leave, everything you do with us leaves a carbon footprint of ZERO.

The one thing that we are not able to carbon offset yet is your flights. We invite you to join us in our bid to protect the environment. From as little as $10 you can also carbon offset your flights to the Islands, ensuring that your trip of a lifetime has a minimal environmental impact. Simply use the PayPal option below to make a donation. The world will thank you.

Below are some suggested contributions to carbon offset the average return flight emissions* from clients’ principle countries and continents of origin.

Countries / Continents	Offset Carbon Dioxide Emissions	Offset all Greenhouse Gas Emissions**
U.S.A.
Canada
Europe
Australia
Asia
Ecuador - Galapagos

In addition to reforestation, CanopyCo uses some of the funds received to manage long-term development projects within the local community;

Our Projects focus on:

1. Establishing local tree nurseries to provide alternative incomes for the comunities that manage them.
2. Scientific research into the reproduction of native tree species and improved methods for habitat reforestation.
3. Environmental Education programs that run in conjunction with local organizations to teach the next generation the benefits o protecting the environment.
4. Teaching sutainable agricultural techniques to allow farming communities to work the land efficiently and eliminate the necessity for further forest clearing.
5. The creation of biogas units to capture animal methene for cooking. This reduces dependence on ever more expensive natural gas, benefiting the atmosphere and local families.
   

CanopyCo and Columbus Ecuador.com, as well as the beneficiaries of Ecuador's native forests:
the climate, the community and the stunning fauna and flora
are grateful for your collaboration.

Notes:
* The information above was compiled by averaging the flight emissions data from major cities in each of the countries/continents of origin.
**When flying, not only carbon dioxide is emitted but also other damaging greenhouse gases. The carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) of these emissions is estimated as a factor of between 2 and 4 by the International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC); we have applied the average of 3 to our data.
***Minimum contribution.

Visit CanopyCo - Reforesting Ecuador's web page