Dutch offer Australian land by the m2 as a gift for December.

    The unique Green Globe project is putting the problem of global deforestation on the map

/24-7PressRelease/ - WILMINGTON, DE, November 10, 2005 - Two Dutchmen have started a project titled Green Globe in order to warn the world of the dangers of deforestation. Anyone who is interested can purchase a square metre of land in Queensland Australia for $ 39.90. What is special is that the project is not situated in the countries that are associated with deforestation but in Australia. "We want to make it clear that deforestation is a worldwide problem that affects every continent ", explains initiator Mark Pors. A number of plots have now been sold to people in 21 countries on the www.green-globe.com site. The initiators want to continue until 10,000 square metres have new owners. This 'football field' will be symbolically presented to the Australian government. Green Globe has number of target groups in mind, including consumers looking to buy an original gift in the month of December.

Each year, millions of hectares of ancient forest are felled, primarily for commercial purposes. Experts estimate that, at the current rate of deforestation, all ancient forests will have disappeared by the year 2025. Media attention is devoted mainly to countries such as Brazil and Indonesia - the "hotbeds". With Green Globe, the organisers Mark Pors and Rob Pieterse want to make it clear that the western world is also squandering its natural treasures. This is why they selected Australia as the backdrop for the unique Green Globe project. Green Globe has purchased a plot of land in the village of Tara, 400 kilometres west of Brisbane. Three quarters of the forest in this region has already been cut down in order to make room for livestock farming. Australia loses 500,000 hectares of forest each year.
By selling square metres of land, the two organisers want to symbolically restore the ecological balance. Mark Pors: "Naturally, the purchasing of that square metre is just a small gesture. But the symbolism of it is much more significant. All the more, because the project will be officially presented to the Australian government once all 10,000 metres have been sold. This can give Green Globe an enormous spin-off."

Legally valid certificates of ownership
People in 21 countries have already bought square metres for $ 39.90. The Green Globe project works with legally valid certificates of ownership. The registration of the certificates is supervised by the Australian government. Green Globe will ensure that the deforested area is replanted with the original vegetation. This involves close cooperation with an expert from the Agricultural University in the Dutch town of Wageningen which has an international reputation. Green Globe wishes to attract both private buyers and companies. Pors: "with the month of December coming up, this is a nice gift for private individuals and companies. A company that claims to be socially responsible can now put this claim into practice by, for example, offering a square metre of land for employees or clients as an alternative Christmas gift."

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