Apple wants to be completely carbon neutral by 2030, and it’s doing a lot to make that happen. Products are being made from recycled materials, supply chains are being optimized for less environmental impact – and now, the company is investing in a redwood forest to remove carbon from the atmosphere.
The company – known for its iPhones and other gadgets – has partnered with The Conservation Fund to manage 14,000 acres of forest in Northern California, in an effort to protect the redwoods here forever.
“Redwoods are an amazing forest type because they just grow and grow and grow forever. They’re very resistant to fire, to disease to any kind of disturbance so they’re one of the best technologies we have for pulling carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere and storing it,” said Evan Smith of The Conservation Fund.
The California project is one of 24 Apple carbon removal projects worldwide, across six continents. In 2020, Apple set a goal to be carbon neutral across its footprint.
“I hope that our customers take away from this that we are doing a lot of that thinking for them so that they can know that the pledges and the promises we made are backed up by real work,” said Lisa Jackson, Apple’s vice president of environment and policy.
Apple took me on a tour of the project, which includes redwoods, oak groves, and streams where fish grow.
During my time in the woods, I learned how trees literally suck carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere and store it – in effect cleaning the air. I also got to see how carbon offset experts measure trees to track their progress. The traditional method uses a diameter tape, and now there’s a newer way using an app and LiDAR to take measurements.
“As it grows, each year the tree gets a little bit bigger, and that growth is coming by taking carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere,” said Lauren Fety, a forest and climate project manager.
Preserving areas like this helps Apple reach its environmental goals – and makes customers feel more confident about the products they use every day.
“It’s a delightful moment for customers to just feel delighted to know that the same expertise that makes these amazing products is being put to work on behalf of the planet as well,” Jackson said.
Apple has similar projects in Maine, North Carolina, and Washington, and even mangrove forests in India. It’s all part of the company’s goal to be completely carbon neutral by the end of the decade.
BTW, while I was in the forest for hours on end, I did get to test out one of Apple’s other helpful features – Satellite Messaging on the iPhone. With no cellular signal at all, it was my only way to check in with my wife and it worked like a charm. You just need to have a clear view of the sky to send and check messages, which takes a bit of time but it works.
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