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Article #213: Carbon Offsetting

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This seems to be mentioned in the papers greenhouse gas emissions by setting
almost every day recently. When you buy a legally binding emissions reduction
holiday or even car insurance, carbon targets for developed countries. Under
offsetting is available. What exactly is Kyoto, the UK's target is to cut its
carbon offsetting and why do we need it? emissions by 12.5 percent below 1990
Well, basically carbon offsetting helps levels by 2008-2012. However, the UK
you to offset the carbon dioxide that you government is convinced that the UK can
use when flying or driving etc by and should go further. The Kyoto Protocol
planting trees or installing solar panels is only the first step. The Government
and thereby removing your contribution to has therefore set a domestic goal to go
global climate change. You contribute to further than the Kyoto commitment and cut
pollution by driving; you reduce the the UK's emissions of carbon dioxide by
pollution by planting trees! You are 20 percent below 1990 levels by 2010.
carbon neutral! You Can Make a Difference, This is How
What is Carbon Dioxide? You, your business or employer may be
Carbon Dioxide is an inevitable product already taking steps to tackle their
of the way we all live today. It is carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions at source
produced primarily through the burning of using renewable energy and efficiency
fossil fuels in: - measures wherever possible. An initiative
-electricity generation that offers extra action for businesses
-the powering of vehicles, trains and to offset their remaining CO2 emissions
aircraft through tree planting.
-home heating and cooking (gas, wood, By supporting tree planting across the
coal, oil) UK, businesses can help to create
Using Renewable Energy is one way of valuable woodland that will grow to
reducing the amount of fossil fuel that sequester (absorb and store) CO2
we burn via homes and businesses. pollution and in so doing, help with the
Gases released into the atmosphere by fight against climate change.
human activity are forming an insulating In addition to the environmental benefits
barrier around the Earth, preventing the of absorbing atmospheric carbon as they
natural release of heat from our grow and mature, woodland provides a rich
atmosphere. There are a number of gases and important habitat valued by wildlife
that are held responsible for this and people alike.
process, which is sometimes referred to By using a simple carbon calculator you
as 'the greenhouse effect'. While methane can obtain an idea of how much carbon
and other gases contribute to the dioxide you, your family, your business
problem, the chief culprit, by virtue of are responsible for producing each year.
the volumes produced, is carbon dioxide. Using data sources you can calculate how
Currently, around one quarter of carbon many trees you need to plant to offset or
emissions are absorbed by the soil and balance your carbon dioxide production.
one quarter by the oceans. Your lifestyle can then be said to be
The Kyoto Protocol, negotiated by more carbon neutral or balanced.
than 160 nations, aims to reduce






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