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Offsetting by
buying carbon dioxide tons. |
In recent years, a number of
companies have begun selling carbon offsets to help
other companies and individuals to achieve carbon
neutrality. These offsets are then used to purchase
things such as emissions-free electricity or to
create products and services that do not generate
CO2 and to fund ad campaigns to raise the public
awareness about carbon emissions.
While there are many companies that currently sell
these carbon offsets, it is strongly recommended
that you research them thoroughly before buying any
offsets from them. Some companies have not been very
forthcoming about how they are using the money that
is designated for offsets and in other cases the
work that is done is not nearly as productive as it
claims to be. For instance, a company may use your
offset money to purchase new air cleaning devices
for a factory. However, that factory may be built to
produce more air polluting automobiles or planes. So
make sure you know where the money is going before
you buy any offsets.
It is also almost impossible to tell if you buy a
ton of offsets for $25 if your money actually helps
to reduce pollution by a ton of CO2. For instance,
if one company is selling CO2 offsets and the money
is being used to make cleaner burning bio-diesel
fuel, it will not do any good unless companies
develop and sell more cars that run on bio-diesel.
Despite the availability of alternative fuel cars
currently on the market, many people continue to buy
the cheaper gas burning cars. So even though car
manufacturers may receive money from the government
or carbon offset programs to develop alternative
fuel cars they still continue to produce and sell
these carbon emitting vehicles that only make the
problem worse.
For these and many other reasons it is recommended
that you use due diligence when researching these
companies and also consider purchasing offsets from
international non-profit and other organizations,
which have open standards and which are usually
verified by other organizations.
Recently eight respectable carbon credit sellers
formed an International Carbon Reduction and Offset
Alliance, ICROA (
http://www.icroa.org ) to support rigorous
standards in the field. Gold Standard is another
respected organization founded and supported by
numerous international non-governmental/charitable
organizations (http://www.cdmgoldstandard.org/index.php
).
EU and World Bank have the largest emission offset
and trade programs, but these have been also
criticized.
Regardless of how CO2 is generated it should be
obvious that we must act quickly to not only reduce
the amount we generate on a daily basis but also to
clean up that which is already polluting the world
that we live in. As you can see, most things that
you can do to benefit the environment are also good
for your bottom line and your health as well. So
reducing your carbon output is not just about saving
the world, its about living smart and doing the
right thing whether you are interested in saving the
world or just living a healthier, wealthier, happier
life.
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