End Notes
How can I, as one person, make a positive impact on the environment? Aside from driving a hybrid automobile, taking public transportation, and reducing energy waste in our homes, we can also participate in carbon offset programs. Environmental stewardship is everyone’s responsibility in this day and age. If we live “on the grid” and consume energy in our homes, drive a vehicle, or fly frequently, then we are contributing to global warming through carbon emissions. While a carbon offset program doesn’t directly reduce your personal emissions, it does reduce future emissions from a wide variety of sources.
Here is an example of how TerraPass, a carbon offset program, works. Each year, the average car emits about 10,000 lb (three times its weight!) in carbon dioxide pollution — a leading cause of global warming. The TerraPass cost starts at $29.95 a year and is based on your car’s make and model. You purchase a “road” TerraPass, and in turn TerraPass funds clean energy projects that reduce carbon dioxide emissions. Your TerraPass is third-party verified to reduce the equivalent of your car’s carbon dioxide pollution, so it’s a win-win situation.
Examples of clean energy projects that TerraPass funds include entrepreneurial wind farmers who receive funds to expand plants and small dairy farmers who receive capital to install digesters on their farms to control methane emissions. TerraPass is audited by the non-profit Center for Resource Solutions, creator of the Green-e program and the country’s leading authority on renewable energy certification. The audits verify TerraPass purchases and help to ensure transparency and accountability.
TerraPass offers similar credit programs for the home and for frequent fliers. To learn more about TerraPass, visit www.terrapass.com. Similar carbon offset organizations include Drive Neutral, Clean Air Pass, and Carbon Fund. Each organization has exclusive partnerships with different products and services.
