Best Eco Stuff

It’s easy to understand why the subject of carbon offsets is still such a confusing one for so many people. Is it buying air? Why does it seem like some people (especially celebrities) get away with doing so many environmentally unfriendly things on a daily basis just by purchasing carbon credits? Do carbon offsets live up to their promise?

First, a quick rundown on how carbon offsets work. You pay a third party to remove a certain quantity of carbon from the atmosphere, equal to the amount that you’re emitting. One carbon offset equals one metric ton of carbon dioxide or its equivalent in other greenhouse gases. You might purchase carbon offsets to make up for driving to work every day, taking a flight or just the general things you do that rack up a carbon footprint. Companies often purchase them to mitigate things like shipping, employee travel or factory emissions. It’s all a part of that quest toward carbon neutrality, something that’s extremely difficult for Americans in particular to achieve on our own.

Your money funds greenhouse reduction projects run by certified carbon offset providers like TerraPass, Carbonfund.org and Native Energy that might include forest restoration, updating power plants and factories or increasing the energy efficiency of buildings and transportation. Many carbon offset companies plant trees.

Well-designed carbon offset programs can definitely have a meaningful impact on the reduction of greenhouse gases around the world, putting the brakes on climate change. Just make sure you’re buying from a reliable program that meets the following standards, as outlined by The Nature Conservancy:

Permanence. The most desirable carbon sequestration projects are those where the restored forests are likely to remain intact indefinitely.
Additionality. The project should only include activities that wouldn’t have taken place normally, therefore keeping more carbon dioxide from reaching the atmosphere.
Leakage. When sequestration at a site leads to land clearing elsewhere, it is referred to as “leakage.” Offset programs should account for and minimize leakage.
Measurement and monitoring. Periodic field measurements of forest growth and associated capture and storage of carbon are essential.
Standards of verification. Throughout the life of a project, standards should be maintained and measured to ensure the project meets its intended carbon sequestration goals.

The thing about carbon offsets is they aren’t a magic bullet. Some people might be tempted to abuse them, feeling like it’s okay to overindulge in less than eco-friendly activities and not feel guilty about it. That’s not what carbon offsets are really meant for – so use them responsibly. There’s just no making up for driving a Hummer or living in a 6,000-square-foot mansion all by yourself.