It wasn't so long ago that an environment-friendly person just had to recycle properly. However, the goal posts have been shifted a long way due to growing concern over the uncomfortable and inconvenient truth of climate change and global warming that is causing a rise in the sea level and abnormal weather, rapid depletion of natural resources, etc. It's simply not eco awareness these days if a person isn't being completely carbon neutral.
In theory, it's a very simple idea. If every single person or entity takes full responsibility for their own carbon emissions, then all the problems stated above go away. Of course, being carbon neutral is a wee bit harder to achieve in reality because it comes far behind a lot of other priorities, if at all.
The problem at the moment is that it threatens all life on the planet, but people just don't realize it or choose to neglect it as scare tactics by tree-huggers. That is why most non-profits and governments who are doing something about it tend to focus on increasing awareness than on passing laws and regulations. Earth Hour, Earth Day and other such events are less about resource conservation and more about engaging people and involving them in the process so that they realize how important it is to conserve resources.
But let's get past all that and say an already-aware citizen now feels like leading a green lifestyle. There are two methods that can and must be deployed. To start with, emissions must be eliminated or reduced to a minimum. After that, whatever is left over needs to be balanced using carbon credits.
Emission reductions are there for the taking in every aspect of an individual's life. Vehicle owners can eliminate the harm done by their driving by getting an electric vehicle and charging it using clean power from a solar generation system. It's a hassle to make the switch, and it's expensive too. But the end result of zero-carbon transport with no gas costs is well worth the trouble.
At home, there are a whole slew of green practices and technologies that can help people reduce their consumption and make it less harmful. Green (as in LEED certified) designs and energy retrofits will reduce power usage and save money. Dual-flush tanks and artificial grass will save water. Use of local and sustainable produce in meals will reduce the emissions associated with food and drinks.
Businesses and companies have a corporate responsibility to make the workplace an eco-friendly place for employees through use of natural materials in products that can be recycled, and through various other green practices. Factories with their own solar arrays on rooftops will run on clean power, and paperless offices will reduce deforestation. Pollution can be controlled by recycling industrial waste that would otherwise end up in the rivers and oceans or go to landfills.
Even those who do all this and a lot more besides will still end up with at least some carbon in their column. That's where the credits come into the picture. Do everything possible to reduce personal and corporate emissions, and balance the rest by paying for it. The seller will take the trouble to generate clean power, plant trees or something like that which cuts emissions by an equal amount.
In theory, it's a very simple idea. If every single person or entity takes full responsibility for their own carbon emissions, then all the problems stated above go away. Of course, being carbon neutral is a wee bit harder to achieve in reality because it comes far behind a lot of other priorities, if at all.
The problem at the moment is that it threatens all life on the planet, but people just don't realize it or choose to neglect it as scare tactics by tree-huggers. That is why most non-profits and governments who are doing something about it tend to focus on increasing awareness than on passing laws and regulations. Earth Hour, Earth Day and other such events are less about resource conservation and more about engaging people and involving them in the process so that they realize how important it is to conserve resources.
But let's get past all that and say an already-aware citizen now feels like leading a green lifestyle. There are two methods that can and must be deployed. To start with, emissions must be eliminated or reduced to a minimum. After that, whatever is left over needs to be balanced using carbon credits.
Emission reductions are there for the taking in every aspect of an individual's life. Vehicle owners can eliminate the harm done by their driving by getting an electric vehicle and charging it using clean power from a solar generation system. It's a hassle to make the switch, and it's expensive too. But the end result of zero-carbon transport with no gas costs is well worth the trouble.
At home, there are a whole slew of green practices and technologies that can help people reduce their consumption and make it less harmful. Green (as in LEED certified) designs and energy retrofits will reduce power usage and save money. Dual-flush tanks and artificial grass will save water. Use of local and sustainable produce in meals will reduce the emissions associated with food and drinks.
Businesses and companies have a corporate responsibility to make the workplace an eco-friendly place for employees through use of natural materials in products that can be recycled, and through various other green practices. Factories with their own solar arrays on rooftops will run on clean power, and paperless offices will reduce deforestation. Pollution can be controlled by recycling industrial waste that would otherwise end up in the rivers and oceans or go to landfills.
Even those who do all this and a lot more besides will still end up with at least some carbon in their column. That's where the credits come into the picture. Do everything possible to reduce personal and corporate emissions, and balance the rest by paying for it. The seller will take the trouble to generate clean power, plant trees or something like that which cuts emissions by an equal amount.
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