An Introduction to Carbon Offsetting

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Carbon dioxide emissions are causing the Earth's climate to change and warm. This will have disastrous results if we do not act to reduce them now. Carbon dioxide emissions in our atmosphere are at their highest levels in recorded history and the effects of climate change can be seen now. Temperatures are increasing, glaciers are receding at unprecedented speeds, severe storms are becoming more frequent and chunks of ice the size of the Isle of Man are breaking off the Antarctic ice shelf.

Why is this all happening now? The last few hundred years has seen the additional release of carbon dioxide by human activities due to emissions from fossil fuel combustion to run transport, heat homes and operate power factories. Increased agriculture, deforestation, landfills, industrial carboncreditcapital.com , and mining are also contributing to the increased carbon dioxide levels in our atmosphere. Temperatures which have varied less than 1 degree Celsius since the dawn of mankind, are proposed to rise between 2 and 4 degrees Celsius over the next century. Such rapid changes will cause major and intense harm to the social, economic and environmental systems upon which planet earth depends for its continuous survival.

A carbon offset is a means to reduce, eliminate or compensate for CO2 emissions. Carbon offsets are measured in metric tons of carbon dioxide-equivalent (CO2e). One carbon offset represents the reduction of one metric ton of carbon dioxide, or its equivalent in other greenhouse gases. The idea is to trim down the impact of everyday carbon dioxide emissions from activities such as driving cars, heating homes and flying. The emissions from such activity's are calculated by a carbon offsetting provider and then paid for through a donation to fund equivalent carbon dioxide saving projects elsewhere. CO2 emissions are distributed across the world, so it does not matter whether you make the reduction in Sheffield or Sri Lanka, the positive effect on the environment will be the same. The most common project type is renewable energy, such as wind farms, biomass energy, or hydroelectric dams. Other popular project types include energy efficiency projects, the destruction of industrial pollutants or agricultural by-products, destruction of landfill methane, and forestry projects.

Carbon offsetting is not just for businesses. Individuals and family's can also take action on global warming by carbon offsetting too. Firstly calculate the CO2 emissions from your daily activities. Online carbon calculators make it straightforward for individuals to determine their carbon emissions. Now aim to reduce your emissions. Once you know how much CO2 you are accountable for and its source, you can prioritise how to reduce you CO2 emissions. Lastly for those emissions you cannot reduce, purchase carbon offset credits from a reputable provider for reductions to be made somewhere else in the world. Carbon offsetting enables us to do something about our carbon footprint rather than just ignoring it, by preventing emissions and capturing past emissions that are already in the atmosphere. Take action on global warming now!