What Is Meant By Carbon Offset Credits

Posted under environment by Eleanor Thompson

Most of us are already aware of the impact our lifestyles have on the environment. We also know that our lifestyles are made possible because of energy created by fossil burning power plants. We can participate in activities that help reduce or minimize emissions of greenhouse gasses into the atmosphere. Such activities include buying carbon offset credits.

Offsetting is a way for us to indirectly participate in activities that lead to the reduction of levels of greenhouse gasses in the atmosphere. A good example of such an activity is reforestation. By helping making it possible to plant thousands of trees, greenhouse gasses such as carbon dioxide are immobilized in plant tissues thus preventing it from contributing to global warming.

Although we may not be able to plant trees ourselves we can pay someone to do this for us. In many developing countries there are organizations that train and pay communities to reforest their lands. When we purchase such credits, the money goes to these communities.

The funds we give are used in various ways. They could be used to set up nurseries of forest trees. They could also be used for labor when trees are transported to planting sites. Equipment such as shovels and knives are bought using the money we give.

Offsetting is a creative way of reducing the impact of modern lifestyles but it is not the only way. We can always choose to live a simpler and less consumer oriented way of live. We can walk or bike to school or to work instead of using our cars.

Businesses are the biggest utilizers of carbon offset credits. They cannot switch to using power generated by alternative means because they are non-existent or are too expensive. Instead they buy offsets to make them CO2 neutral or minimal polluters of greenhouse gasses.

Looking to find the definitive source of information on carbon offset credits?