° BORDEAUX REGION °
ESTD 2013
The French
RETREAT
BE PART OF THE SOLUTION
Aware that many people choose to fly to the French Retreat we have initiated a tree planting programme to offset the carbon emissions created by our guests. If you would like you to be part of this we invite you to contribute. The French Retreat will match every purchase you make.
Planting billions of trees across the world is by far the biggest and cheapest way to tackle the climate crisis, according to scientists.
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As trees grow, they absorb and store the carbon dioxide emissions that are driving global heating. New research estimates that a worldwide planting programme could remove a staggering two-thirds of all the emissions that have been pumped into the atmosphere by human activities, a figure the scientists describe as “mind-blowing”.
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We face the threat of possible climate breakdown and eco-system collapse, and the reality is that neither the corporate world nor the governmental world are going to initiate decisive action against their own short-term interests, defined in terms of growth and electability. It is down to people like us to make a difference.
For every tree you buy here we will buy another and plant them both. All of every carbon-offset will go towards buying trees. The planting, watering, pruning, mulching and love will be provided by us.
We will provide a close up photo of your tree planted and a wider shot so you can see its position on the land. If for any reason your tree does not survive we will replace it for free.
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This is only one small part of the solution. We believe reducing our global dependence on fossil fuels is still a priority as well as doing all we can personally to limit wasting resources.
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WHAT WE HAVE ACHIEVED SO FAR
Courtyard 2014
One crab apple tree
Driveway 2014
3 Rowan Trees
Pool area 2013
One existing Box
2018 donations
Thanks to the Hoffman Retreat April 2018 participants we planted an Apple, Plum, Magnolia and Lilac tree plus a Blueberry and an Oleander bush
Courtyard 2016
2 Sumac trees, 26 lavender, 10 Russian Sage, 2 Japanese Meadowsweet, Curry plant
Driveway 2016
Six fruit trees: an early and a late fruiting Apple, Medlar, Sumac, Quince and Cherry.
Pool area 2016
12 Hornbeam trees, 2 Star Jasmine, 2 Ceanothus
2018 planting
In 2013 we planted out one loquat tree we had grown from a stone. We have another 8 babies on the way.
Courtyard 2019
Guelder rose, Abelia x grandiflora, 3 European smoke tree, Pomegranate, Honeysuckle, Jasmine, Buddleia
Driveway 2018
8 mixed Holly Trees
It's not just trees
Caroline Lucas, M.P. with Emma Pruen protesting at the Hinkley Point Nuclear Power Station