There was a time in the not-so-distant past when being environment-friendly simply meant recycling your garbage properly. But the inconvenient and uncomfortable truth of climate change, worries over global warming and rising sea levels, extreme weather incidents and depletion of natural resources have all combined to shift the goal posts far beyond the basics. People can't claim eco awareness now unless they lead a carbon neutral life.
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 say a person who's now eco-aware wants to lead a green and carbon-neutral lifestyle. It can be done using two methods. The first one is to reduce emissions as far as possible. The second way is to offset whatever there is left over with carbon credits.
Reduction of emissions in every aspect of an individual's life is harder than it sounds. Let's take vehicles as an example. It's possible to completely eliminate all the emissions caused by driving, if it is done in an electric vehicle that uses clean power for charging. Buying an EV and installing a solar power generation system is not easy or cheap, but the emissions and fuel costs it eliminates are well worth the trouble and expense.
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.
Companies can likewise make the workplace eco-friendly by implementing green practices and using natural materials to reduce pollution associated with their products. Paperless offices will contribute in the fight against deforestation, and factories powered by clean energy from rooftop solar arrays can claim to be green. Recycling of industrial waste instead of sending it to landfills or dumping it into drains that ultimately end up in the rivers and oceans is another way that companies can be responsible.
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 say a person who's now eco-aware wants to lead a green and carbon-neutral lifestyle. It can be done using two methods. The first one is to reduce emissions as far as possible. The second way is to offset whatever there is left over with carbon credits.
Reduction of emissions in every aspect of an individual's life is harder than it sounds. Let's take vehicles as an example. It's possible to completely eliminate all the emissions caused by driving, if it is done in an electric vehicle that uses clean power for charging. Buying an EV and installing a solar power generation system is not easy or cheap, but the emissions and fuel costs it eliminates are well worth the trouble and expense.
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.
Companies can likewise make the workplace eco-friendly by implementing green practices and using natural materials to reduce pollution associated with their products. Paperless offices will contribute in the fight against deforestation, and factories powered by clean energy from rooftop solar arrays can claim to be green. Recycling of industrial waste instead of sending it to landfills or dumping it into drains that ultimately end up in the rivers and oceans is another way that companies can be responsible.
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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