What exactly is a "carbon offset" anyway?

This or That?

CFLs or LEDs?

What exactly is a "carbon offset" anyway?

by Rigel Celeste (Subscribe to Rigel Celeste's posts)
Nov 24th 2007 @ 11:58AM

Filed under: Reference/Green 101

The term "carbon offsets" keeps coming up and going around, but how many of us really understand what it means? Basically, a carbon offset is something you buy, or invest in, to counterbalance your own personal negative environmental impact, or carbon footprint, on the world. Most carbon offsets fall into one of these 4 categories:

Reforestation (planting trees)
Energy efficiency and conservation (using less fossil-fueled power)
Renewable energy (energy that doesn't rely on fossil fuels at all)
Methane capture (helps prevent evil methane from entering the atmosphere)

By giving groups that provide these services your money in specifically measured amounts (offsets) you can feel better about the things you can't change just yet. For example on a recent trip I had to fly so I bought a $10 carbon offset from TerraPass to counterbalance the emissions from my flight and I admit it: it made me feel better!

Comments [1]

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

12-02-2007 @ 9:30PM

Griz said...

I'm glad "it made you feel better". It's all about feelings isn't it. Well, Merry Christmas, oops, sorry, Happy Holidays. Did that make you "feel better" too.
If you listen real close, you can almost hear the water swirlin'. That's the sound of our country going down the crapper. I may sound angry, but I'm not, I'm just fed up, with nut jobs like you, Rigel!
Griz

Green Daily Video

Green Daily Series

Tip of the Day

Resist the stacks of napkins given from fast-food joints and eateries.

Learn More

Featured Galleries

Greenland - On the Edge of Global Warming

10 things you didn't know you could compost

Puma/Atmos Endangered Species Collection

Green Daily bloggers (30 days)

#	Blogger	Posts
1	Josh Loposer	23
2	Cat Lincoln	21
3	Chelsea Barberi	4
4	Serena Bartlett	3

Featured Galleries

Sites We Love

Other Weblogs Inc. Network blogs you might be interested in:

Adoption Agencies Banned From Asking Parents About Guns Opinion: Proms Should Not Include Dates Stroller Review: BOB Revolution Duallie	Gabourey Sidibe's Weight Overshadows Her Talent Ellen Pompeo's Post-Pregnancy Diet Lighter Portions Helped Kristie Lose 60 Pounds
'Project Runway' Episode 9 Recap: New York State of Mind H&M Garden Collection Offers Organic Florals for an Eco-Friendly Spring Polo Ralph Lauren and The North Face Take On Alleged China-Based Online Counterfeit Ring	New Study: Apple Juice Contains High Levels Arsenic Editor's Picks - Best Links of the Week What's On Tap - Matt the Miller's Tavern, Dublin, OH
The Price of Fame: Do Stars Give Up Their Right to Privacy? Hugh Grant Gets Into Cake Fight at Birthday Party Anna Nicole Smith Estate Shut Out of Oil Fortune	Zebra Plays Dentist to Hippo; Chicago Creates Poop-Scoop Task Force and More Dog Plays Frisbee All By Himself Local Lowdown: Participate in a Spring Running or Walking Race With Your Dog!