TeamPlanting: A Review

Jewelry for a cause

TeamPlanting is a company dedicated to habitat restoration and reforestation through the purchase of jewelry made from sustainably sourced crystals and recycled metals. Their mission is to produce thoughtfully crafted accessories that “ignites conversations and leaves a lasting impact.” Their conscious approach has meaningful efforts at every step of production; materials for their jewelry are sourced from craft workshops in Tibet, India, China, and the US; they only work with crafters who are transparent about their processes and prioritize using natural, recycled, and reclaimed materials; and their shipping methods are carbon-neutral. This well-considered process emphasizes their commitment to sustainability. 

In the 4 years that TeamPlanting has been around, they have partnered with 2 nonprofits, Eden Projects Initiative and One Tree Planted and are preparing to announce new collaborations with wildlife organizations. Both of these organizations work with local communities to restore forestland and habitats while creating jobs and mitigate climate change. Jobs created include arborists, loggers, researchers, and sustainable tree farming which provides timber for building homes, wood for cooking and heating, and food producing trees that provide nourishment for humans and animals alike. 

Why trees?

As we are all hopefully aware, global climate change is instigated by our rising atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) levels. Earth’s atmosphere is currently sitting at a whopping 426 ppm (parts per million), which is already 50% higher than where levels were at prior to the 18th century Industrial Revolution. Since the invention of machine work during that time, which requires fuel (oil & gas), we have built massive factories and tools that release huge amounts of CO2 into the air. Though there are other greenhouse gasses responsible for contributing to global warming and pollution such as methane, ozone, and nitrous oxide, CO2 remains the primary contributor. This is because nearly all of the current mechanisms used to run our planet, from power generation, transportation, and production, burn fossil fuels which produce a byproduct of CO2. The release of these gasses contributes to the ‘greenhouse effect,’ which essentially means that heat becomes trapped inside our atmosphere causing global temperatures to rise. It’s important to note that climate change is not just global warming, but as water vapor is another key element in our atmosphere, it increases dramatic weather patterns causing stronger storms in some places where it accumulates. 

So, what can we do to combat the ever-rising levels of CO2? One of the answers lies in one of the planet’s oldest living creatures: trees. Forests are one of the world’s largest carbon sinks that suck CO2 out of the air and release oxygen in return. Deforestation is another key contributor to climate change as it removes this natural regulatory system. Forests are sometimes referred to as the ‘lungs of the planet’ providing nourishment to all living beings. Deforestation happens for numerous reasons, from clearing space for buildings for our growing population and creating cropland to mass-produce crops to feed humans. In turn, this removes habitats from species who have been there long before we were around and is slowly chopping away at one of our greatest natural resources. 

By replenishing our forests, we contribute to the revival of many plants and animals and rebalancing our natural ecosystems. TeamPlanting has committed to support this effort by planting a tree for every purchased item. Their current goals are to have 50,000 trees planted and remove 1,088 tons of carbon from the atmosphere in the next few years. 

Upon purchasing, supporters receive a digital certificate accompanied with a TreeLocator, which allows them to see where in the world they helped plant a tree. Right now, the majority of trees are being planted here in the US. The locations are selected based on areas most in need, levels of risk, and the timeline for implementation. This locator also includes information about their site such as reforestation plans, common wildlife, and interesting statistics. 

Why crystals?

TeamPlanting’s mission includes the intention of spreading positivity and making meaningful differences – both for the planet and in their supporters' lives. Many ancient cultures including ones in Egypt, Greece, and China believed that crystals have healing properties. Crystal master healer, Sonali Saujani, claims that “crystals are minerals that hold energy, and as we as humans are made up of energy, we can exchange energy with the crystal when we work with it.” Many people believe crystals are pseudoscience or simply a placebo effect, but even the placebo effect has proven to have therapeutic benefits in training a greater connection between your mind and body. Plus, crystals typically carry great beauty within them, featuring delicate designs and lusters that bring people joy to look at. 

TeamPlanting is a great organization to support when buying gifts for loved ones or upgrading your personal accessory game. Not only are their pieces well-made and beautiful, they allow wearers to start conversations about the impact of their purchase and encourage others to be conscious-consumers. Your purchase contributes to impactful tree-planting initiatives, fostering healthier ecosystems and supporting communities in need. Find your next piece of jewelry here!

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The Bottom Line: Our purchases have power, lets use them for good.