Carbon Offsetting

We all know that trees absorb CO2 from the atmosphere and pump out oxygen. So the obvious answer to global warming is to plant a lot more trees, right?

Sadly, no. There isn't enough land available for the numbers of trees we'd need to plant for all that CO2.

Don't let that put you off planting trees wherever possible though. They can be as important to reducing your carbon footprint as all those other apparently little things like using low energy lightbulbs and recycling.

In fact, doing things like planting trees, where you're trying to balance out your CO2 emissions, has it's own name: Carbon Offsetting.

Are there any other ways we can offset? Yes. There are companies out there who have all sorts of projects from planting forests, to renewable energy schemes in poorer countries, that you can support (i.e. pay) to offset part or all of your footprint.

Here are some examples: Carbon Footprint, Carbon Neutral, and Offset Carbon.

However, in my opinion, we should only ever use this when we've done all we can to reduce our CO2 in the first place. Otherwise we get lazy: we do nothing and pay someone else to do the work.

In my family's case, we might use it to offset what's left over after all our carbon reduction efforts, down to 2 tonnes per person (The U.N. recommended level). Another reason might be for the odd plane flight.

It's up to you how you use it, but if you do offset, I recommend that you research the companies you're interested in to make sure they're for real. I have no doubt that there are a few scammers out there already.