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Article #88: Carbon Offsetting

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






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