Information here last updated in 2020
Greenhouse Gases and Carbon Footprints, an Explanation
It is a scientific fact that humans are emitting too many greenhouse gasses into the atmosphere today. Those gases are making the planet less habitable each day. Carbon Footprint tools exist to help us understand where these gases come from and how to reduce them in a variety of ways. One of those ways is through carbon offsets.
Your carbon footprint is the total amount of greenhouse gases that are generated by your actions. Usually, the bulk of an individual’s carbon footprint will come from transportation, housing and food.
The average American emits 16.6 tons of CO2/carbon per year.
Carbon Footprint Offsets
Carbon offsets compensate for your emissions by canceling out greenhouse gas emissions somewhere in this country or elsewhere in the world. The money you pay to buy offsets supports programs designed to reduce emissions. Those might include projects to develop renewable energy, capture methane from landfills or livestock, or distribute cleaner cooking stoves.
The cost to offset carbon footprints is $7.85 per ton,
or $130 per year / $11 per month.
For more detailed carbon footprint calculators, see links below
Your contribution to the Bioregion Reparation Fund serves as a carbon offset
The fund gives grants to local bioregional projects that help reduce our carbon footprints. Your gift will help support environmental education, organizations and projects like land conservancies or wetland restoration; help fund green building initiatives and assist programs which support ecological values.
Consider a donation of $130 for the annual average American carbon offset,
or $11 monthly offset.
Or calculate an amount based on your particular lifestyle.
Of course, the BRF welcomes gifts in any amount you wish to give to help heal our beautiful part of planet Earth.
Link to more information about Bioregion Reparation Fund and how to donate
https://fullcircleretreat.org/bioregion-reparation-fund/
Reduce your carbon footprint
There are many ways to reduce your carbon footprint. You can drive an electric or hybrid car, avoid night flights when possible and take fewer connecting flights, use LED lighting, eat lower on the food chain by eating less meat, line dry your clothes, etc.
Carbon footprint calculators – Learn more
The University of Michigan Center for Sustainable Systems
includes tools for assessing all aspects of daily life
http://css.umich.edu/factsheets/carbon-footprint-factsheet
Nature Conservancy
https://www.nature.org/en-us/get-involved/how-to-help/carbon-footprint-calculator/
Terrapass carbon footprint calculator
https://www.terrapass.com/carbon-footprint-calculator