Can you be carbon neutral?

Carbon dioxide (CO2), the major contributor to global warming, is emitted every time we turn on the TV, drive to work, or jump on an airplane. If you have followed this blog for a while you know energy efficiency is one of the most cost effective ways to reduce your carbon footprint. Renewable energy systems, hybrid vehicles, and mass transit are also ways to reduce carbon dioxide emissions.

Doing all this already? Still not carbon neutral? There is an answer. You can purchase carbon credits. You can invest in an organization, activity, or event that reduces the carbon dioxide emitted into the atmosphere. Carbon credits range from providing funding for solar farms in Arizona or wind farms in Oregon to planting tree seedlings since trees absorb carbon dioxide.

Many corporations are using carbon credits to become carbon neutral. While it may be more effective for them to actually make modifications in their business practices, they still should be commended for expending funds to help reduce carbon emissions. Plus, they love the good PR.

Many sites will calculate your personal carbon emissions based on where you live, how much your drive, where you get your power, etc, and then determine how many units you need to buy to become carbon neutral. Did you know you probably emit over 20 tons of carbon per year? Maybe you won't be able to purchase enough for the whole year, but start with your next vacation drive or flight.

Remember, buying credits isn't a substitute to being more energy efficient. However offsetting your carbon emissions with clean energy or more trees is a practical, meaningful way to fight global warming. Ready to purchase carbon credits? First check out this survey at Ecobusinesslinks.com that does a good job of showing the price, projects funded, and types of offsets (car, planes rides, etc.), plus whether the organization is non-profit or not.

I'm going right now to offset the electricity used for this post!