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Offset your co2 emissions

Written by co2Solidaire


What means to offset its co2 emissions?

Today, the implementation of measures that aim to fight climate change is being encouraged more than ever. Indeed, greenhouse gas emissions (GGE) are largely responsible for global warming.

In Germany, these emissions reach an average that is equivalent to 11 tonnes of co2 per year and per capita (USA: 19-20 Tonnes). This (Germany) is 5 times more than what the planet is capable of absorbing per human being.

It IS possible to reduce co2 emissions. As it is, thanks to its nuclear capacity, emissions in France are only 7 tonnes per capita for the same level of development. When efforts to reduce CO2 emissions are not enough, there is another way of striving towards being "carbon neutral" and therefore reducing your impact on the climate: Carbon Offsets.

A carbon offset involves measuring the levels of greenhouse gas emissions that businesses, groups or private individuals were not able to avoid, followed by the funding of a project that would enable reductions of the same amount of GGE elsewhere. This procedure can only take place alongside efforts to reduce emissions directly from the source itself, which are part of each and every person's duty.

How does it work?

In practical terms, all you have to do is visit the website Oekofieber where you will find various different websites on carbon offsets. The weight of your emissions will be calculated in terms of tonnes of co2-equivalents (co2e, a unit that takes into account all GGE). This weight is converted into a monetary sum that will be allocated to a green energy management project, often in developing countries.

This means that if you fly on a round trip between Berlin and New York, you will emit 2.81 tonnes of co2e. The offset figure for this flight would amount to about $84 to $98 (28 to 35 dollars per tonne, according to various websites).

Green Forest

An ecological approach

Ecologique

Before thinking about carbon offsets, don't forget that there are many other ways to reduce your co2 right at the source. For example:
-Favor public transport or, failing which, try car pooling; these are both "cleaner" transportation modes,
-Save energy, water and paper,
-Separate your waste for recycling purposes,
-Switch to low energy light bulbs, which are 5 times less energy-consuming, and buy energy-saving household electrical devices.
-Avoid standby modes
-Insulate your home, and so on.

United and responsible

The countries in the South, most of which are developing countries, are the most vulnerable in the face of climate change : floods, rise in sea levels (Bangladesh), droughts, etc. Industrialized countries, which are the biggest emitters of greenhouse gases, should therefore bear the responsibility of their actions through carbon offsets.

To find out more, take a look at : Oekofieber.

Picture found on http://www.flickr.com/photos/lilyc13/3959100000/

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