How to reduce ecological footprint? And what are carbon offsets anyway? Learn about ways consumers can lessen their environmental impact.
You’ve probably heard these buzzwords by now: carbon footprint and carbon offset. “What is this miraculous means by which I can reduce my personal assault on Planet Earth?” you might be thinking. “Can I actually offset all the carbon dioxide emissions I’m responsible for?”
What Are Carbon Offsets?
A carbon offset is something you buy. It’s a voluntary investment in an activity that leads to the reduction of Earth-warming carbon dioxide (CO2) in our atmosphere. You can choose to spend anywhere from $5 to $5 million on offsets, and the project benefitting from your donation is usually up to you.
The most popular types of carbon offsets are those that plant trees (reforestation), support activities that help us use less fossil-fueled power (energy efficiency, conservation), or invest in power systems that don’t rely on our dwindling fossil fuel supplies (renewable energy). Some offset programs also invest in technologies that help prevent methane — another potent nasty that heats up our lives — from entering the atmosphere (methane capture).
How to Reduce Ecological Footprint
The following organizations sell carbon offsets directly to consumers, and feature handy carbon calculators to help you determine your environmental footprint. All are certified by an independent agency that makes sure your dollars go where they should. (Learn more about the green-e certification program.)
- CarbonFund offers a range of pricing options to offset specific activities, such as driving or flying, or you can donate the dollar amount of your choosing. Approximately $12 offsets 1 ton of CO2.
- Native invests in projects to help organizations and individuals create sustainable change, and invests in projects around the world to improve livelihoods. It costs about $18 to offset 1 ton of CO2.
- TerraPass focuses on the CO2 created by travel. One neat feature is the ability to offset the amount emitted by your make and model of vehicle or the number of times you fly every year.
And here an innovative ways to rack up carbon offsets:
- The major travel Web sites Travelocity, Expedia, and Orbitz allow you to purchase offsets for the amount of CO2 that will be created by the travel you book through them. They contract with The Conservation Fund, TerraPass and Carbon
Fund, respectively.
Carbon offsets have proved somewhat controversial to hard-core greenies. The idea of buying global warming indulgences just
doesn’t sit well with those who advocate lifestyle changes as the answer to our climate catastrophe. But others argue that they’re
an easy way for people to make a difference and help drive market demand for green power and other industries that are working to stem the tide of climate change before it’s too late. What do you think?
