Gaiam Launches 'Go Zero' Sustainable Shipping Program

BROOMFIELD, Colo., Sept. 25 — Gaiam has partnered with The Conservation Fund to launch the world’s first ‘Go Zero’ sustainable shipping program. The ground-breaking initiative gives online customers the opportunity to add a small donation at checkout that goes directly to The Conservation Fund to enable the planting of trees to offset carbon dioxide emissions that result from product shipping. Gaiam is also offering “The Gift of Zero,” a gift certificate that allows people to purchase trees to be planted in the recipient’s name.

Since the program launched in June, Gaiam shoppers have already purchased over 10,000 trees, which will reforest 33.5 acres and capture more than 13,372 tons of carbon dioxide over the next 100 years.

“Gaiam has been overwhelmed with the response to the Go Zero program from our customers and from other companies who contacted us to ask how they can implement their own Go Zero program,” said Chris Fisher, director of customer service and Gaiam’s team leader on this project. “As a company, Gaiam is often looked to by other companies for innovative programs to help the environment, so we’re very pleased to act as an example of the success of The Conservation Fund’s Go Zero program.”

Gaiam will join its customers in the Go Zero effort on a corporate level. Working with The Conservation Fund, Gaiam measured the carbon dioxide emissions of office energy use and staff travel and is neutralizing this carbon dioxide “footprint” — approximately 1,902 tons of carbon dioxide — through Gaiam’s donation to the Go Zero program that enables The Conservation Fund to plant 12.5 acres of trees.

“We applaud Gaiam and its customers for their commitment to conservation and their support of the reforestation of some of America’s most important natural areas,” said The Conservation Fund’s president, Larry Selzer. “This effort not only enhances wildlife habitat but it also addresses one of our biggest environmental issues, climate change.”

The Conservation Fund launched Go Zero last year to engage individuals and companies around the world in the effort to reduce carbon dioxide pollution. Simply put, Go Zero measures the carbon dioxide emissions of virtually any slice of life — from an individual’s typical everyday activities, to the energy used to create an event or produce a product, to operational activities at a company, including product shipping. The program can then “zero out” the impact of the emissions by planting the correlating number of trees, which absorb carbon dioxide as they grow.

The forestlands created by Go Zero’s trees do more than just address climate change; they leave a lasting legacy by restoring important wildlife habitat, enhancing outdoor recreation areas and improving air and water quality. Through its broader Climate Change Program, The Conservation Fund has protected 25,000 acres and planted 5 million trees, which will sequester nearly 7 million tons of carbon dioxide over the next 100 years.

The Go Zero initiative has inspired such leading companies as Gaiam to offset their carbon emissions. Go Zero has also caught on with celebrities, including Daryl Hannah, Terrance Howard, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Peter Sarsgaard, Minnie Driver — and now the X Games medal winners.

To purchase The Gift of Zero gift certificates or order Gaiam conscious- living products with zero shipping-emissions impact, visit http://www.gaiam.com or call 1-800-869-3603. Your Go Zero contribution is fully tax deductible.

About Gaiam
Gaiam, Inc. (Nasdaq: GAIA) is a lifestyle-media company catering to people who value personal development, natural health, environmental responsibility and inspirational media. Gaiam has earned its place as the market leader with award-winning mind-body health programs, the highest-quality certified 100% organic cotton furnishings and apparel, renewable energy solutions and more. For more information about Gaiam, please visit http://www.gaiam.com, or call 1-800-869-3603.

About The Conservation Fund
The Conservation Fund is the nation’s foremost environmental nonprofit dedicated to protecting America’s land and water legacy for current and future generations. Seeking innovative conservation solutions for the 21st century, the Fund works to integrate economic and environmental goals. Since its founding in 1985, the Fund has helped its partners safeguard wildlife habitat, working landscapes, community “greenspace” and historic sites totaling more than 5.4 million acres nationwide. With 1 percent fundraising costs and 96 percent program allocation, The Conservation Fund is recognized as the nation’s top-rated environmental nonprofit by both the American Institute of Philanthropy and Charity Navigator.