Rotary International's President Wilfred J Wilkinson today presented a check for $2,000 on behalf of the newly formed CO2 Offset Trust, to Fresno Rotary Club's Solar Cooker Project.

The money will be used to set up a Solar Cooking facility in Guatemala that will empower local people to cook without the need for open fires. The Solar Cooker removes the need to collect and burn firewood, provides nutritious food, reduces eye and lung diseases and provides safe drinking water. More details are at Fresno Rotary Club's website at http://www.rotary5230.org/UMAP.asp?FolderID=438

The CO2 Offset Trust - on the web at www.CO2OffsetTrust.com  - has been formed by nine Rotary Clubs from around the world to encourage Rotary Club members to offset their CO2 emissions by donating to the Trust, from which Rotary Clubs can draw matching grants for projects that reduce Carbon Dioxide emissions. The Trust has also given $2,000 to Harrogate Rotary Club to plant trees in Nidderdale, an area of outstanding natural beauty, which has become de-forested over the past 100 years.