As the planet struggles under rising levels of air pollution and global warming, carbon offset is acting as a saviour by incentivizing companies and governments to decrease their carbon emissions.
The release of hazardous greenhouse gases into the air is counter balanced by the carbon offset system through the use of renewable and cleaner energy resources, reforestation schemes and several other eco-friendly initiatives. The greenhouse gas emission caps for developed and developing countries are governed by the Kyoto Protocol, an internationally accepted pact, which was signed in 2005 by most nations of the world.
The Protocol makes it mandatory for commercial entities emitting more than the allowed limit of carbon dioxide to bring down their emissions to safe levels, or they should buy carbon credits certificates which can be traded in the market, or alternatively pay a charge for the emissions, which is referred to as carbon tax. Carbon credits, which came much earlier than carbon offset, are the most popular and economical options for companies, with one credit allowing the owner to emit one tonne of carbon dioxide into the air. Many large corporations voluntarily purchase carbon credits in a bid to develop and portray their carbon neutral image before investors, clients, and business partners.
Ambitious ecological projects around the world that are working towards the overall decrease of CO2's hazardous influence on the environment are now also being helped by the carbon offset system, which finances many of these projects. It helps in promoting clean and renewable energy choices like wind energy, solar power etc and other nature conservation projects like reforestation.
Even individuals are increasingly using the carbon offset scheme to reduce their carbon footprint and are advocating this innovative way to others as well. Carbon offsets are available for buying online through many providers, but it should be verified that the provider is actually channelling money into impactful carbon reduction initiatives.
Although carbon offset is a great alternative we must also keep in mind that we need to go a step further by making small environment friendly decisions in our everyday lives. Minor steps like turning off electrical devices and appliances when not in use, substituting fossil fuels by renewable fuels like biodiesel, and making use of LED lighting and low-energy bulbs can actually help a lot in reducing overall emissions.
Carbon offset is still not a familiar word for a layman. Awareness of the same by means of proper education on the issue is the way forward towards a healthy and sustainable environment.
The release of hazardous greenhouse gases into the air is counter balanced by the carbon offset system through the use of renewable and cleaner energy resources, reforestation schemes and several other eco-friendly initiatives. The greenhouse gas emission caps for developed and developing countries are governed by the Kyoto Protocol, an internationally accepted pact, which was signed in 2005 by most nations of the world.
The Protocol makes it mandatory for commercial entities emitting more than the allowed limit of carbon dioxide to bring down their emissions to safe levels, or they should buy carbon credits certificates which can be traded in the market, or alternatively pay a charge for the emissions, which is referred to as carbon tax. Carbon credits, which came much earlier than carbon offset, are the most popular and economical options for companies, with one credit allowing the owner to emit one tonne of carbon dioxide into the air. Many large corporations voluntarily purchase carbon credits in a bid to develop and portray their carbon neutral image before investors, clients, and business partners.
Ambitious ecological projects around the world that are working towards the overall decrease of CO2's hazardous influence on the environment are now also being helped by the carbon offset system, which finances many of these projects. It helps in promoting clean and renewable energy choices like wind energy, solar power etc and other nature conservation projects like reforestation.
Even individuals are increasingly using the carbon offset scheme to reduce their carbon footprint and are advocating this innovative way to others as well. Carbon offsets are available for buying online through many providers, but it should be verified that the provider is actually channelling money into impactful carbon reduction initiatives.
Although carbon offset is a great alternative we must also keep in mind that we need to go a step further by making small environment friendly decisions in our everyday lives. Minor steps like turning off electrical devices and appliances when not in use, substituting fossil fuels by renewable fuels like biodiesel, and making use of LED lighting and low-energy bulbs can actually help a lot in reducing overall emissions.
Carbon offset is still not a familiar word for a layman. Awareness of the same by means of proper education on the issue is the way forward towards a healthy and sustainable environment.
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