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It wasn't so long ago that an environment-friendly person just had to recycle properly. However, the goal posts have been shifted a long way due to growing concern over the uncomfortable and inconvenient truth of climate change and global warming that is causing a rise in the sea level and abnormal weather, rapid depletion of natural resources, etc. It's simply not eco awareness these days if a person isn't being completely carbon neutral.
The idea isn't that hard to grasp. Once every single individual and entity learns to take responsibility for carbon emissions caused by their own activities, there is no more problem. The reality is obviously a little bit harder, since being carbon neutral isn't exactly a strong priority for most people.
But the bigger problem is that people don't care, which may be because they don't know about this existential crisis facing the planet or they think it's just some climate scientists and tree-huggers looking for publicity. It's why a lot of efforts undertaken by various governments and non-profit organizations focus more on awareness campaigns than on passing regulations or laws. Events like Earth Day or Earth Hour are not just about saving resources for that brief period of time, but more about engaging large sections of the population and teaching them the importance of conservation and the dangers of not doing so.
But for argument's sake, let's say a person wants to be eco-aware and lead a green lifestyle. There are two ways to go about it, and both are likely to be needed. One way is to reduce emissions, and the other way is to offset it by purchasing carbon credits.
Emission reductions are there for the taking in every aspect of an individual's life. Vehicle owners can eliminate the harm done by their driving by getting an electric vehicle and charging it using clean power from a solar generation system. It's a hassle to make the switch, and it's expensive too. But the end result of zero-carbon transport with no gas costs is well worth the trouble.
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.
Despite all these and other such efforts, it's not really possible to lead a completely zero-carbon life. This is where the second part kicks in, with carbon credits available for purchase to offset whatever is still left over. The buyer pays for credits, and the seller has done or will do something such as planting trees or generating clean power that balances the buyer's emissions.
The idea isn't that hard to grasp. Once every single individual and entity learns to take responsibility for carbon emissions caused by their own activities, there is no more problem. The reality is obviously a little bit harder, since being carbon neutral isn't exactly a strong priority for most people.
But the bigger problem is that people don't care, which may be because they don't know about this existential crisis facing the planet or they think it's just some climate scientists and tree-huggers looking for publicity. It's why a lot of efforts undertaken by various governments and non-profit organizations focus more on awareness campaigns than on passing regulations or laws. Events like Earth Day or Earth Hour are not just about saving resources for that brief period of time, but more about engaging large sections of the population and teaching them the importance of conservation and the dangers of not doing so.
But for argument's sake, let's say a person wants to be eco-aware and lead a green lifestyle. There are two ways to go about it, and both are likely to be needed. One way is to reduce emissions, and the other way is to offset it by purchasing carbon credits.
Emission reductions are there for the taking in every aspect of an individual's life. Vehicle owners can eliminate the harm done by their driving by getting an electric vehicle and charging it using clean power from a solar generation system. It's a hassle to make the switch, and it's expensive too. But the end result of zero-carbon transport with no gas costs is well worth the trouble.
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.
Despite all these and other such efforts, it's not really possible to lead a completely zero-carbon life. This is where the second part kicks in, with carbon credits available for purchase to offset whatever is still left over. The buyer pays for credits, and the seller has done or will do something such as planting trees or generating clean power that balances the buyer's emissions.
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