Link This | Email this | Blog This | Comments (0)

It’s Not Easy Being Green - 6
December 7, 2007

In our last Blog we discussed carbon footprints and now we will discuss carbon offsets and why some people consider them controversial. The source for this is the wikipedia.org.

Being carbon neutral, or carbon neutrality, refers to neutral (meaning zero) total carbon release, brought about by balancing the amount of carbon released with the amount sequestered. Various special interests attempt to promote a use of the term that merely refers to carbon reduction, which is clearly not neutral. In this more loose sense, it has two common uses:

It can refer to the practice of balancing carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere from burning fossil fuels, with renewable energy that creates a similar amount of useful energy, so that the carbon emissions are compensed, or alternatively using only renewable energies that don't produce any carbon.

It is also used to describe the practice, criticized by some, of carbon offsetting, by paying others to remove or sequester 100% of the carbon dioxide emitted from the atmosphere – for example by planting trees – or by funding 'carbon projects' that should lead to the prevention of future greenhouse gas emissions, or by buying carbon credits to remove (or 'retire') them through carbon trading.

What is becoming more important is combining carbon offsetting with energy conservation measures to minimize energy use. When an individual or an organization sets out to become carbon neutral it is usually achieved by a low carbon economy, combining the following three:

• Limiting energy usage and emissions from transportation (walking, using bicycles or public transport, avoiding flying, using low-energy vehicles), as well as from buildings, equipment and processes.

• Obtaining electricity from a renewable energy source either directly by generating it (installing solar panels on the roof for example) or by selecting an approved green energy provider, and by using low-carbon alternative fuels such as biofuels.

• Offsetting the remaining emissions that can not for the moment be avoided or generated from renewables in a responsible carbon project, or by buying carbon credits.

• Being carbon neutral is increasingly seen as good corporate or state social responsibility and a growing list of corporations and states are announcing dates for when they intend to become fully neutral

Next issue “eco-friendly printing” and print quality.

Posted by Howie Fenton on December 7, 2007 | Comments (0)