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What is “Virtual Tree March – Beyond Kyoto”?

The “Virtual Tree March – Beyond Kyoto” is a online game (hosted on www.51tree.org) where users donate real money and in return are offered virtual items as part of a virtual tree planting movement to Copenhagen that promotes key educational, cross-cultural and international network strengthening activities to solve climate change.

What is UNFCCC?

The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC or FCCC) is an international environmental treaty produced at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development, also known as the Earth Summit, held in Rio de Janeiro in June 1992. The treaty is aimed at stabilizing greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that would prevent serious damages to the climate system.

What is the Kyoto Protocol?

The Kyoto Protocol is an international environmental agreement decided under the UNFCCC in Kyoto in 1997 which requires from a certain number of industrialised countries to reduce their emissions of greenhouse gases to a certain level (these commitments are legally-binding for industrialised countries and non-binding for all the others). This protocol is valid until 2012.

What is COP15?

COP 15 is the 15th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. It will take place in Copenhagen, Denmark between December 7th and December 18th, 2009. A new agreement concerning emission reductions beyond 2012 should be agreed upon.

Why is this a virtual march?

The United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP15) will be taking place in Denmark, Copenhagen, 7 – 18 December, 2009. Beyond Kyoto – the big question is what is next? It is clear the climate change debate needs to include a workable, international solution on how we are able to engage with over 4billion people on the planet who have very limited or zero access to carbon finance.

Who is Socogames?

Socogame (http://www.socogame.com) is a leading developer and publisher of mobile games. It was founded in 2005 in Shanghai. Soco Soft is focusing on high quality mobile games with innovative game play and leading technology. Why is it important to plant trees?

How much does it cost to play?

Players can make voluntary donations. This real money donations made in the virtual game are then used to create direct and positive impacts in the real (offline) world.

Is the payment secure?

Yes, payment is secured via PayPal for any country outside China. For China, payment will be secured via Union Pay.

How do I know that trees have been planted offline?

You will receive a Plan Vivo certificate guaranteeing that a tree has been planted in one of the three countries where Plan Vivo has projects: Tanzania, Mozambique or Mexico. More information on Plan Vivo’s website: http://www.planvivo.org

Will I be able to see the trees I have planted offline?

You will be able to see the evolution of Plan Vivo’s tree planting projects in Tanzania, Mozambique or Mexico. As for China, 51Tree has been granted a piece of land in the region of Beijing to plant trees in order to help fight against desertification in this region. Updates regarding the evolution of tree planting on this plot will be posted on www.51tree.org and www.51sim.org.

Can I choose in which country I want to plant trees offline?

As of now, you will be able to plant trees in China, Tanzania, Mozambique and Mexico through Plan Vivo certificates

Can a game be saved half way through?

Yes, a game can be saved half way through. Press the save button and get back to your game later on by typing your country code in.

I have forgotten my country Code.

Click here to receive a new one

Can I chat with other players?

Yes you can chat with other players if you have befriended them.

Can I see what other players have done?

Yes, you can see what other players have done and what they are doing if you have befriended them. You can exchange tips and advice while playing with them.

Is it easy to play?

Yes it is very simple to play. Players choose a country in which they want to plant trees, purchase tree seeds, plant them, water and watch over the region’s ecosystem rebuilding. The more a country’s tree coverage increases the more it actively contributes to build up a global greenbelt.

How is the game scored?

The game is scored in a very simple way, the more a country’s tree coverage increases the more it actively contributes to build up a global greenbelt. Therefore, the greener your country is getting, the more chances you get of getting high scores.

Do some tree species bring higher scores than others?

Yes, if you decide to plant certain endangered species you will get higher score because some trees improve soil fertility, maintain soil stability and facilitate ecosystem regeneration.

Is there a "high score" board that everyone can see?

Yes, there will be a score board visible to everyone. It will feature countries which have planted the highest amount of trees, countries which have the highest CO2 absorptivity rank as a result of tree planting and countries having managed to save an endangered species from being extinct by planting

Will there be help available?

Yes, the game has a help section and gives you advice while you play. You can also read our How to Play and our Feedback section if you have a specific question or problem.

Does the game have a political agenda or bias?

The game has no political agenda or bias, it is aimed at creating and rolling out globally an online, virtual game that:

  • captures multicultural, multilingual, entertaining and educational content and delivers real world impact;
  • trengthens intercultural understanding and by delivering verifiable carbon emissions reductions, create positive social change in some countries; and
  • creates global public participation and massive awareness for encouraging action and shows how it can be possible to mobilize capital to micro carbon solutions.

Will there be future versions of the game?

As of now, no other version of the game is planned. However, we welcome your feedback..

Love it! How can I help?

Please give us any feedback and suggestions you have and tell other people about 51Tree!

Hate it! It should work like this

Please give us any feedback and suggestions you have so we can improve the game.

Which computer hardware & software are needed to play?

You can play Virtual Tree March online from any computer (Mac or PC) connected to the Internet through any of the following browsers Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox or Safari

Why develop 51Tree?

The game should generate questions and ideas. In raising understanding of the importance of tree planting and climate change issues, 51Tree hopes to raise awareness among players of the importance of climate change issues.