In the world of design, we often talk about making an impact. Usually, that means capturing attention, driving engagement, or boosting sales. But what if we could expand that impact beyond the screen or printed page? At DesignGuru, we’ve been asking ourselves this question, and today, we’re excited to share our answer.

We’re embarking on a journey that combines our passion for stellar design with a commitment to environmental stewardship. It’s a step that we believe will not only enhance our work but also contribute to a cause much larger than ourselves.

A Partnership with Purpose

We’ve recently joined forces with Earthly, an organisation at the forefront of climate action, committed to helping businesses like ours become more sustainable. This collaboration isn’t just about feeling good—it’s about making a tangible difference. We wanted to ensure that every design we create not only benefits our clients but also contributes to healing the planet.

Our approach is simple yet impactful: for every design task we complete, we plant a tree. It’s our way of ensuring that as our clients’ brands grow, so do our forests. By integrating reforestation into our business model, we aim to offset carbon emissions, support ecosystems, and create employment opportunities in vulnerable communities.

The Mangrove Project

When we decided to venture into reforestation, we knew we wanted our efforts to count where they mattered most. That’s why we’re supporting Earthly’s Mangroves in Maroalika, Madagascar project, which is managed by Eden Reforestation Projects. This trail-blazing initiative combines reforestation with poverty alleviation and has been making waves since 2007.

Why Mangroves?

Mangroves are more than just trees—they’re vital to coastal health and climate stability. Here’s why:

• Carbon Sequestration: Mangroves are champions of carbon storage, removing around 308 kg of CO2 from the atmosphere per tree over its 25-year life cycle. They store up to 10 times more carbon than terrestrial forests, making them an exceptional tool for combating climate change.

• Storm Surge Protection: Their dense root systems protect coastlines from erosion and reduce the impact of storm surges, safeguarding coastal communities from extreme weather events.

• Habitat Creation: Mangroves support a rich biodiversity, providing essential habitats for a variety of species, including fish and birds. This biodiversity is crucial for maintaining the ecological balance and supporting local fisheries.

Project Achievements

Since its inception, the Madagascar project has planted over 334 million trees across 8 countries and created more than 3.3 million workdays for local communities. Eden Reforestation Projects aims to plant 500 million trees annually by 2025, which will further amplify these positive effects.

Positive Impact on People and the Planet

The ‘employ to plant’ methodology not only addresses mangrove degradation but also tackles poverty. By employing locals to plant and maintain these trees, the project provides fair employment opportunities and supports economic development. Healthy mangroves contribute to socio-economic stability, while their degradation leads to loss of income from fishing and timber, and increased vulnerability to natural disasters.

In Madagascar, where over 90% of native forest cover has been lost, reforestation is crucial. Mangrove forests are particularly effective in this regard, offering storm protection, water filtration, and livelihood generation. The project uses a mix of four different mangrove species and agroforestry trees, enhancing both environmental and economic benefits. The process also includes natural regeneration, often resulting in a 200% increase over the initial number of planted mangroves.

Measuring Our Impact

We believe in transparency, which is why we're keeping a live tally of our progress. As of August 2024, our initiative has made significant strides:

• 1,170 trees planted

• 1.4 tonnes of CO2 removed

• 468 hours of employment created

These numbers aren’t just statistics—they represent real change happening on the ground. Each tree planted brings us closer to restoring critical ecosystems and mitigating the impacts of climate change. And we’re not stopping there. Our forest is growing every day, thanks to the continued support of our clients and partners.

Want to see our latest impact? Check out our tree counter to see how many trees we've planted to date. It's a number we're proud to watch grow!

Your Virtual Forest: The DesignGuru Earthly Island

We're excited to introduce a unique way for you to visualise our collective impact. Welcome to the DesignGuru Earthly Island, a 3D virtual representation of the forest we're growing together. This interactive island grows in real-time as we plant more trees, offering a fun and engaging way to see how your projects contribute to reforestation efforts. Go ahead and check it out—it's a fun way to see the difference we're making together!

Why This Matters

In an industry often focused on the digital realm, it’s crucial to remember our impact on the physical world. The climate crisis demands urgent action, and businesses have a responsibility to be part of the solution. By partnering with Earthly, we’re able to:

• Actively combat climate change through reforestation

• Support economic development in Madagascar by creating local jobs

• Set a new standard for sustainability in the creative industry

Our goal isn’t just to be another design company; we want to lead by example and show that creativity and sustainability can go hand in hand. By incorporating eco-conscious practices into our work, we’re helping to shape a future where businesses can thrive without compromising the planet.

What This Means for Our Clients

If you’re a DesignGuru client, your projects now carry an added dimension of impact. Every design we create for you contributes directly to environmental conservation and community support. It’s a way to extend your brand’s positive influence beyond the visual realm. You’re not just investing in design—you’re investing in a better, more sustainable future.

Join Us on This Journey

We believe that the future of design is both beautiful and sustainable. By joining us on this journey, you’ll not only receive high-quality, innovative design solutions but also know that your projects are making a difference. If you’re interested in being part of this vision, we’d love to work with you. Reach out to us, and let’s create designs that not only look good but do good.