Saturday, January 16, 2010

Carbon Offset - An Effective Method To Save The Environment

By Judith Carter

As the world struggles under rising levels of air pollution and global warming, carbon offset is acting as a ray of hope by motivating firms and governments to decrease their carbon emissions.

Carbon offset is a method of reducing the emission of hazardous greenhouse gases through different ways like sustained reforestation initiatives, alternative and renewable energy usage etc. The greenhouse gas emission caps for developed and developing countries are governed by the Kyoto Protocol, an internationally recognized pact, which was signed in 2005 by almost all countries of the world.

The Protocol says that industries releasing a huge quantity of carbon dioxide should limit their CO2 emissions to allowed levels, or else pay a carbon tax, which is an environmental tax on harmful emissions, or alternatively purchase carbon credits certificates that can be traded in the market. One carbon credit, which is an older instrument than carbon offset, permits the credit's owner to discharge 1000 kilograms of carbon dioxide into the air, and this technique is the most cost effective way of purchasing an allowance to release extra greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Both multinational and local firms, to make their activities carbon neutral and improve their image before customers and investors, are increasingly purchasing carbon credits.

Another innovative instrument, carbon offset, has opened up an excellent economic chance, particularly in the third world countries, as the scheme provides smooth funding for green projects that are designed to help decrease the overall carbon footprint in the world. It therefore aids in promoting ecological programmes concerned with to reforestation, conservation of resources, and green energy alternatives like tidal energy, solar energy, geothermal energy, etc.

Even common people are more and more making use of the carbon offset scheme to reduce their carbon footprint and are propagating this method to others as well. Buying carbon offset is straightforward and can be conveniently implemented online through one of the many carbon offset provider websites; however, it must be ensured that your investment is making real impact through good projects.

However, we must keep in mind that buying carbon offset does not absolve us of our responsibilities, and that all of us can perform a vital part in reducing our carbon footprints by making minor changes to our daily lives. What we can do additionally on our part to protect the environment is to take up small measures like using renewable fuels such as biodiesel, and installing LED lights in place of high-energy bulbs, and use only as much energy as we need.

Carbon offset is still a new word for ordinary people. Mass awareness on the issue through extensive education is required to bring us some steps closer to a pollution free and green planet.

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