Q&A:
What is a carbon offset?
One carbon offset is the process of neutralizing, sequestrating, or eliminating one metric ton of CO2.
How much does a carbon offset cost?
The average cost of offsetting one metric ton of CO2 is between $5.00 to $20.00. Most companies that charge the least amount of money collect it up front and then plant the trees, or start their specific project. Some are not scheduled to start until fifty years from now. We invest the money that we receive as quickly as feasible. Our planet can use the help right now.
Why purchase carbon offsets?
Because even though we do our part by conserving natural resources, more needs to be done. Every contribution that we receive is used to help reduce CO2 levels on our planet.
Isn’t planting trees as a way of carbon sequestration controversial? Some believe that tree planting is not an efficient way to reduce CO2. However, the formula is simple: Tree absorbs CO2: Tree releases O2. That was the way nature planned it. If nature planned it that way, it is because it works, so lets do it. Another of our projects involves purchasing land, as it is economically feasible, to prevent it from being developed.
How many trees will take to offset one metric ton of CO2?
Each person in the U.S. generates approximately 2.3 tons of CO2 each year. A healthy tree stores about 13 pounds of carbon annually -- or 2.6 tons per acre each year. An acre of trees absorbs enough CO2 over one year to equal the amount produced by driving a car 26,000 miles. An estimate of carbon emitted per vehicle mile is between 0.88 lb. CO2/mi. – 1.06 lb. CO2/mi. (Nowak, 1993). Thus, a car driven 26,000 miles will emit between 22,880 lbs CO2 and 27,647 lbs. CO2. Thus, one acre of tree cover in Brooklyn can compensate for automobile fuel use equivalent to driving a car between 7,200 and 8,700 miles. (Nowak, David J., “Benefits of Community Trees)
Help us care for the environment now!
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