Can planting an e-tree help save the real world?

Apparently, it can--if you plant a tree in the virtual playground Second Life. For 300 Linden dollars ($1.50), a player can plant a tree at the Second Chance Tree Island--and revel happily in the knowledge that somewhere, a corresponding (and real) tree will be planted in an endangered rainforest. The project ("Second Chance Trees"), was created by media agency Converseon and the tree-planting non-profit Plant It 2020.

The project has been selected as one of 50 finalists in the American Express Members Project, which will give up to $5 million to the cause selected by American Express Cardmembers (if you're a member, vote here). The $5 million prize would mean more than one million trees.

Almost 8 million people have Second Lives, where they spend more than a million real American dollars a day. (Which rather puts the $5 million prize into perspective, but never mind that...)

If you don't have a Second Life, you can still plant a tree somewhere exotic. For $1 (a steal!), you can pay to plant a real tree at Plant It 2020.

Of course, you won't gain the same Second Life street cred, but saving the planet is pretty cool too.

Post by Katherine Montgomery