Frequently Asked Questions

The Mahakubukkadawela community in Sri Lanka celebrated World Environment Day with the theme ‘Bio Diversity and Our Culture’. More than 1,000 trees were planted within the community's irrigation catchment including mango and jak fruit plants.

Climate change has the potential to undo the last 50 years of work that international humanitarian organisations like World Vision have achieved.

World Vision is committed to help poor communities prepare themselves for climate change. We will do this through increasing our efforts in environmental protection, restoration and sustainability projects, like those supported through the Twice As Green program.

How does Twice As Green help to absorb greenhouse emissions?
As trees grow, they absorb carbon dioxide (CO₂), a major green house gas in the atmosphere. This absorption is part of a natural process called photosynthesis, by which plants take in CO₂, water and sunlight and convert it to glucose (sugar), oxygen and water.

How will the trees survive if there is already a lack of water in countries like Africa?
Trees which we plant are usually indigenous trees or hardy exotic species. The program ensures that trees are planted in the height of the rainy season and when there is already moisture in the soil, giving the trees the best chance of survival.

If losses do incur through extreme drought or because livestock have eaten or trampled the seedlings, these trees are replaced at the next best opportunity.

Much of the tree work we will do will be through natural regeneration of existing trees. These are trees which have been cut down but are still alive and resprouting from the stump - literally, 'underground forests'. These trees are indigenous and adapted to the environment and since they already have a mature root system they do not need watering. Read more about natural regeneration.

What does 'regenerate trees' mean?
In some regions we will work with communities to regenerate degraded trees or vegetation, rather than planting new trees.

This process simply means that we will regenerate tree stumps that have been cut-down, slashed or burnt. The tree stumps, or 'underground forests' are still alive, they just need to be revived and protected so they can grow.

In most cases, ‘natural regeneration’ is a quicker and cheaper process to grow trees because the tree’s root system is already very established. Click to read an article about how this technique is changing lives and the environement in Niger, Africa.

What types of trees will be planted on my behalf?
Much of the vegetation that will be planted will be native to the local habitat. In Ethiopia we will plant Erythrina and Podocarpus in highland areas. In countries like Senegal we will plant and regenerate native Baobab and Bauhinia species.

World Vision also supports the planting of tree crops like mangoes, apples and edible seeded Acacia trees which can produce food in drought prone areas where annual crops often fail.

How did you calculate your figures on trees and emissions?
Our sources for emission figures were the Australian Greenhouse Office and the Victorian Government.

Our source for the trees required to absorb emissions, was Greenhouse Balanced, a company that specialises in carbon emissions.

What will I receive if I sign up to Twice As Green?
When you become a Twice As Green supporter, you will receive:

• The opportunity to plant your own virtual tree in the Twice As Green online forest
• Welcome letter and certificate (printed on sustainable paper)
• Plant-a-tree card (small, recycled paper card with seeds in it, that if planted, will grow)
• Bumper sticker
• Report back newsletter with stories about the progress you are helping to achieve (online and occasionally in the mail on sustainable paper)
• Monthly Action News online newsletter about global issues, ethical lifestyle and green articles (if you have an email address)

What is the virtual tree concept that you've mentioned?
When you sign-up to Twice As Green, you get the option to plant a virtual tree in our online forest. If you sign-up online, you will be given the option to plant a tree when the payment confirmation screen appears.

If you didn’t sign-up online, you can still plant an online tree by visiting the web link that is included in your welcome letter.

When you plant your online tree, you will have the option to include your name, state and a comment that will appear alongside your tree. You will also be given the opportunity to forward your tree to friends. View the newest tree planted in the Twice As Green online forest.

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