IKEA and American Forests Ask Shoppers to Donate One Dollar to Plant One Tree and Help Reduce CO2 Pollution

Contact:Mona Astra Liss
IKEA Corporate Public Relations
610. 834.0180 ext. 5852

Michelle Robbins
American Forests
202.737.1944 ext. 203

PLYMOUTH MEETING, PA, June 21, 2006 – “Plant a Tree. Clean the Air. Cool the Globe.” That’s the idea behind IKEA’s and American Forests’ national initiative to plant hundreds of thousands of trees nationwide. Starting June 21, 2006, IKEA stores will be asking customers to donate $1 to plant one tree. IKEA will also match donations for the first 100,000 trees planted.

“A passionate commitment to the environment is central to the IKEA philosophy. Our quality of life depends on the quality of the environment, and IKEA is dedicated to keeping the environment healthy and green. If one dollar plants one tree, imagine what thousands will do. It’s a chance for shoppers to help reduce CO2 pollution and renew America’s forests. It’s a great opportunity to act globally by giving locally.” said Pernille Lopez, president, IKEA North America.

What is life without trees? Just plain empty. Trees and forests are a crucial part of Earth’s ecosystem. They are green machines. Trees clean our air and purify our water by absorbing pollutants and stabilizing soils. Trees create beautiful vistas and form homes for our abundant wildlife. They are our natural capital and have a tremendous environmental value.

"American Forests is proud to have IKEA as a partner. Few companies can match their environmental record. Our mission is to grow a healthier world with trees and IKEA's commitment will not only plant hundreds of thousands of new trees, but it will also carry a positive conservation message to millions of IKEA visitors," stated Deborah Gangloff, executive director of American Forests.

This eco-conscious initiative kicks off early summer; the time when trees are lush and flourishing. IKEA uses resources and raw materials efficiently, which means reducing waste, saving energy, and taking wood from well-managed forests. IKEA believes doing good business - while being a good company - is not only possible, it’s a must!

American Forests Gives Ten Reasons ‘Why We Plant Trees’
1. Trees Save Energy and Money. Just three trees strategically planted around your home can cut your air conditioning bill in half.
2. Trees Save Tax Dollars. Trees in a city slow stormwater runoff and reduce the need for storm sewers. Tree shade also helps cool municipal buildings, lowering electricity bills.
3. Trees Cool our Cities. Urban ‘heat islands’ are caused by declining tree canopy in our communities.
4. Trees Clean Our Water and Air. From low level ozone in our cities to pesticide and fertilizer runoff from our farms, trees absorb harmful pollutants.
5. Trees help community life. Tree planting and community-based forestry can add significantly to a local community’s sustainable economy while restoring the environment.
6. Trees protect soil. By holding soil in place with their root systems, by deflecting pounding rain with their canopies, and by adding nutrients each fall with their leaves, trees are crucial to keeping and improving our soil.
7. Trees Provide Habitat for Species of Many Kinds, including Endangered Species.
8. Trees Can Pay Your ‘Carbon debt.’ Planting just 30 trees with American Forests will absorb the amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) that is generated in the production of energy consumed by the average American lifestyle annually – and - put oxygen back into our atmosphere.
9. Trees Provide Clean Water and Natural Flood Control. Forests act as natural reservoirs, and they protect watersheds, providing clean water for cities, bays and rivers.
10. Trees are a Beautiful Part of our Lives. Trees enrich our lives by simply being there; from the majestic sequoias to the littlest new bud.
(Facts from American Forests www.americanforests.org)

ABOUT IKEA ~ DID YOU KNOW ?

1. IKEA conducts an annual review in all IKEA stores to measure environmental progress such as energy and waste reduction.
2. IKEA flat packs their home furnishing products to not only keep costs low but to also reduce CO2 emission by utilizing efficient transport.
3. IKEA uses wood from sustainable forests and will not accept wood from intact natural forests.
4. IKEA uses resources efficiently. For example, the IKEA Eden table uses heartwood, the innermost part of the trunk which is usually discarded.
5. IKEA coworkers globally are participating in a contest to reduce travel by carpooling, taking public transit, or other alternate means of travel such as walking or biking. The goal of the program is to reduce CO2 emissions and create environmental awareness with our coworkers.

There are currently 236 IKEA stores in 34 countries, including 28 in the U.S., where IKEA plans to open three - five stores a year. Other stores are being planned in: Brooklyn, NY; Draper, UT; Dublin, CA; Portland, OR; Round Rock, TX; Somerville, MA; and Sunrise, FL. Since its 1943 founding in Sweden, IKEA has offered home furnishings and accessories of good design and function at low prices so the majority of the people can afford them. For three consecutive years, IKEA has been named to Working Mother magazine’s annual list of the “100 Best Companies for Working Mothers” and Training magazine’s annual “Top 100” ranking of companies that excel at human capital development – as well as to FORTUNE’s “100 Best Companies to Work For” list for two straight years. IKEA recently received the Foreign Policy Association Award for Global Corporate Social Responsibility. IKEA incorporates environmentally friendly efforts into day-to-day business and continuously supports initiatives that benefit causes such as children and the environment. To visit the IKEA Web site, please go to http://www.IKEA-usa.com.

American Forests (americanforests.org) the nation's oldest citizens non-profit (501c3) conservation group, was founded in 1875 and is a world leader in tree planting for environmental restoration, a principal voice promoting the science and practice of urban forestry and a primary communicator of the benefits of trees and forests.