Goodyear Goes Carbon Neutral

August 25, 2008

Cambridge - Gary Goodyear, Member for Cambridge & North Dumfries, is going carbon neutral. In cooperation with Tree Canada, the Cambridge MP is one of the first Canadian Members of Parliament to announce that carbon emissions from both his Cambridge and Ottawa offices will be offset through the planting of trees in his own riding of Cambridge/North Dumfries. The announcement will take place at 11am on Friday, August 22, at 1425 Bishop St. North. Both the public and media are welcomed to attend this event.

Since being elected to represent the riding of Cambridge in 2004, Gary Goodyear has been a strong supporter of going “carbon neutral” and protecting the environment. “This is an important step in environmental preservation and is an example of real action with real results,” said Goodyear. “Our federal government is committed to protecting the environment without introducing the largest tax grab in Canada history, an approach suggested by other federal parties. I hope that local businesses and organizations will move in this direction as a means to account for the daily pollution we create,” he added.

“Mr. Goodyear’s commitment to going carbon neutral shows he cares about the state of Canada’s environment for future generations,” said Michael Rosen, President of Tree Canada. “Cambridge residents will benefit from cleaner air, while Mr. Goodyear will serve as a “green” example to other politicians and organizations.”

Goodyear’s plan will result in the planting of 220 trees. With the direct assistance of Tree Canada, a national not-for-profit, charitable organization that has been involved in numerous national programs, including schoolyard-greening initiatives and national re-leafing operations due to natural disasters, the trees planted in Cambridge will mark another moment in the Canadian Government’s approach to cleaning our air and our environment. The approach, which stresses trees’ natural ability to store carbon dioxide from the atmosphere within its wood, will also provide many other benefits, such as more wildlife habitat and visually pleasing surroundings for Cambridge residents.