Offsetting Carbon Footprint

Carbon offsets are relatively simple.  We all are responsible for carbon dioxide emissions through the use of energy: driving, heating and cooling our homes, watching TV, etc.  Carbon offsetting is the act of reducing an equal amount of carbon somewhere else to counterbalance the carbon emissions from your energy-using activities (called your "carbon footprint").

Carbon offsets enable anyone to reduce their climate footprint by supporting projects that reduce carbon dioxide emissions to balance out one’s own carbon footprint.  If you choose to offset your entire carbon footprint, that is called carbon neutral.

Carbon dioxide emissions are caused by the burning of fossil fuels: oil, coal and natural gas. Obviously, your car uses gasoline, and your house may burn natural gas for heating and hot water.  But your house, your office, the factory that produces your clothes, your favorite restaurant, your local theater and other places we use every day use electricity that generally comes from power plants that burn fossil fuels. More than 50% of America’s electricity is created by burning coal, and virtually all of our transportation needs are fueled by oil.

The average American is responsible for 10 tons of CO₂ emissions annually through their direct energy use at home, driving and flying.  However, the average American is responsible for about 23 tons of CO₂ when you also include their purchases, activities and the other services we all share throughout the economy.

While most people can reduce their energy use by improving the efficiency of their homes, buying cars that get better gas mileage and making other changes, which we strongly support, reducing it to zero through individual actions is nearly impossible. Carbon offsets are a cost effective way to reduce the remainder of one’s climate footprint.

How much you reduce inside your home or car vs. offsetting through Carbonfund.org is a personal and economic decision, and Carbonfund.org’s goal is to make it easy and affordable for every person or business to reduce their climate footprint to zero.

Learn more by visiting the Carbonfund.org web site.