Carbon Footprint

The earth is warming and climate change is occurring. Glaciers and polar ice are melting and shrinking, and warmer ocean water can increase the frequency and intensity of storms. Concentrations of so-called "greenhouse gases" in the atmosphere (gases that can trap heat from the sun, like a greenhouse, and cause average temperatures on earth to rise) have been rising rapidly over the past century. They are predicted to double between now and the end of this century if we take no action. The consequences of climate change could be quite dramatic and costly for our children and grandchildren. Potential harm from climate change includes more frequent and more devastating storms, droughts and floods, increased exposure to tropical and insect-borne disease, loss of tree and animal species, and rising sea levels which floods coastal communities.

Fortunately, individuals and communities are taking some positive steps, including establishing a carbon "footprint" or inventory. This is simply a baseline to determine one's rate of emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) or its equivalent in other greenhouse gases. Having a known footprint allows one to decide how best to reduce that footprint and to measure the results. Documented reductions in CO2 and other greenhouse gases can even be sold or traded in an emerging carbon market.

Chicago Climate Exchange - trade carbon credits

TerraPass allows sale of carbon credits to offset emissions for individuals or enterprises

There have been many regional, national and international efforts by government and individuals to formulate agreements on carbon reduction plans. The most famous and active is the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, which led to the formulation and adoption by many countries of the Kyoto Protocol and continues to seek global consensus on the issue. The Northeast and mid-Atlantic regions of the US have formed a Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative. The State of California has also taken a major leadership role on the issue. Some believe that complete regulation of CO2 and other greenhouse gases is inevitable on both national and international levels.

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