What is this carbon offset game and how do I play?
November/December 2007
Tabitha Alterman
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Our sister site, Earth Moment, lets you shop all your favorite online retailers, and purchases carbon offsets on your behalf ? at no extra charge to you.
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You've probably heard these guilt-inducing 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?' you're saying to
yourself. Well, it's actually pretty easy and affordable. Take me
to your carbon offset leader!
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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).
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.)
- Carbon
Fund 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 $5 offsets 1 ton
of CO2. (For a frame
of reference, you could prevent 1 ton of CO2 from entering the
atmosphere by turning your thermostat down 2 degrees for four
straight years.)
- Native
Energy invests in projects that benefit Native
American communities and sustainable farmers. It costs about $12 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. It takes about
$10 to offset a ton of CO2.
- The
Conservation Fund is dedicated to protecting America's
landscapes and waterways. They sell reforestation carbon offsets
for about $5 per ton of CO2 emitted.
