Offset Pollution With Carbon-Neutral Life

(CBS)  Last year the new oxford American dictionary declared "carbon neutral" the word of the year, but many people still don't know exactly what it means.

For part of The Early Show's week-long series "Going Green," co-anchor Russ Mitchell examines what it means to be carbon neutral. You first must calculate to what degree your lifestyle impacts the environment, and then do something to offset it. The idea is catching on.

"I'm very concerned about global warming," said Roberta Messalle, who tries to offset the carbon she produces. "And over the years, I have made a number of adjustments. If I'm in a room, I use the space heater rather than heating the entire house. I use compact florescent bulbs because they consume less energy."

When Messalle heard about carbon offsetting, she went online and calculated her carbon footprint and made a donation.

"I do buy into the idea that it is possible for every person to be carbon neutral," Messalle said.

There are now a growing number of companies with names like Terrapass, Native Energy and CarbonFund.org which offer to help people offset the negative effects of modern life.

"We make it easy and affordable to help individuals and businesses to reduce the impact they have on global warming," CarbonFund.org Executive Director Eric Carlson said.

Carlson said that the average American is responsible for 50,000 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions each year. That is quite a substantial carbon footprint, which he defined as each person's "cumulative impact on global warming from the energy that you use from the electricity for your home, the gas in your car, flying in a plane."

His foundation uses money it receives from donations to fund carbon reducing projects such as developing renewable energy like wind and solar power. The idea is that by supporting clean energy sources more carbon is being prevented from being produced.

"The goal is to drive the price of clean technology below the price of dirty technology, so that subsidies aren't needed," Carlson said.

Some celebrities have taken up the cause. Dave Matthews retroactively offset every show his band has ever played. George Clooney reportedly produced "Syriana" as a carbon neutral movie. The cosmetic company Lancôme recently announced it was embracing offsetting.

"All five Lancôme spokes-models will have their travel offset for 2007," said Kate Babb, vice president media relations at Lancôme.

There are a number of companies that include offsetting on their Web sites. When you buy product at Gaiam.com, you're asked if you'd like to offset the shipping for an extra $2 — that money recently helped fund the planted of 14,000 trees in Mississippi.

Carlson calculated Mitchell's carbon footprint using an online calculator.

"What we're going to do is enter in the amount of electricity you use, the natural gas to heat your home, how much you drive and your air travel," Carlson said. "It automatically figures it out for you and what we're showing here is that you're responsible directly for 17.88 tons and it will cost about $98 to offset that … You are about exactly average."

Messalle says for her carbon offsetting is just one of the things she's doing in an effort to live a conservation-minded lifestyle.

"I see it as part of a total package," Messalle said. "You go around your home, you make as many changes as you can, you contribute to something beyond that."

[montraville]

I think there are plenty of reasons to be optimistic that we can reduce our emissions. Look at all the best memories of your life, how many of them involved the consumption of fossil fuels? I do have many fond memories of long drives in big old cars, but otherwise, the best times in life have been outdoors, with friends, or alone, which wastes no energy at all.

We wrap ourselves up in air-conditioned cocoons and gigantic SUVs because that helps us to deal with the stress and hassle of making a living and getting everything done. We get drive-through because we don't have time to make a real breakfast.

So we can cut our power by adopting a more outdoor lifestyle in our free time, and by spending time mentally preparing for working week hassles. We'd probably all save energy, money, and lose weight.

[aaabee-2009]

THERE WILL BE A HUGE PEACE RALLY IN WASHINGTON ON MARCH 17. 41 STATES HAVE ORGANIZATIONS CHARTERING BUSES ETC. IF YOU WANT TO SUPPORT THE CAUSE GO TO www.impeachbush.org
Posted by dallison7 at 04:03 PM : Feb 22, 2007

FYI, for those here who seem to want to do more than just talk. The ones who take action will have to work more to counteract those who choose to do nothing, but I think that is what heros do.

[aaabee-2009]

sharncedar,
It is a start isn't it? Starting is better than sitting there making pronouncements about someone elses efforts.
How about making some personal pronouncements and detail your efforts to ease global warming?
This is an effort that will start with one person, one family, one community, one nation, one globe. Why don't you join us instead of beating us?

[sharncedar]

They are reducing their carbon gas emissions by maybe 3% at max, if you count all the ancilliary energy use that every American uses, just for example in the hospital facilities there for your use, or the energy used in your lawyer's office, etc. But they have increased their arrogance by 230%, this is typical of Hollywood types.

It's like the Democrats, helping 2% of the poorest Americans while taking credit and increasing taxes by 50%. Liberals are a bad deal.

[montraville]

Cutting energy consumption, like throwing out stuff, is a great way to clear your mind and deal with cumulative frustration. I find it relaxing to watch the day change to evening. There's no reason for me to turn on the lights as soon as it starts getting darker. Why not mix a drink and watch the sky turn orange?

It helps clear the mind, and slows everyone down. If your kids are too hyperactive and overstimulated, watching the gloaming come has a calming effect.

[rmsdm4]

I removed the catalytic converter on my truck and increased my gas mileage by 7mpg. We all have to do our part.

[terrapin78]

I rode my motorcycle to work 125 times last year.

Otherwise, I would have driven my car all those days. I saved 200+ gallons (and related carbon) by riding instead of driving to work. Each round trip saved ~1.5 gallons vs driving in my car.

Every little bit helps!