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