ActiveOutfitters is a Carbon Free Business! How we offset our carbon footprint and why:
What We Know:Carbon dioxide emissions from the burning of fossil fuels are causing the Earth’s climate to change and warm, which will have catastrophic results if we do not act to reduce them. Carbon dioxide emissions are about 40% higher than they were before the Industrial Revolution and at their highest levels in recorded history, covering over 650,000 years.
The effects of climate change can be seen now. Temperatures are already increasing, glaciers are receding at unprecedented speeds, whole chunks of the Antarctic ice shelf are breaking off, warmer seasons are becoming longer, and storms are becoming more severe and causing more and more damage.
Offsetting our carbon footprint at ActiveOutfitters.com allows us to become part of the solution to climate change by supporting the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions equal to our carbon emissions.
Carbon offsets can be more cost effective and practical than many other measures an individual or business can take. (However, it is also important to take action to reduce our personal energy use. To see what practical steps you can take to reduce your carbon footprint before offsetting, see our 10 Simple Ways to Save Energy). For instance, it is more cost-effective and better for our environment to build a 100 MW wind energy farm in Minnesota than a 5 kW windmill in your own backyard.
Carbon dioxide emissions are a global problem, so reducing a ton of CO2 in Brazil or Colorado has the same climate change benefit as doing so in your backyard. Also, no technology is inherently better than another: wind is not better than solar, renewables are not better than energy efficiency. Each ton of CO2 reduced is the same as any other ton.
How It Works:We are all responsible for climate change and we all must be part of the solution. Carbonfund.org makes it simple for anyone, or any organization, to reduce and offset their carbon emissions. So, how does it work?
Reduce What You Can, Offset What You Can’tThe first step is to reduce our carbon emissions wherever possible. There are many cost-effective, energy-saving and carbon-reducing opportunities anyone can take. Simple solutions, like powering down our computers in the evening, exchanging our traditional light bulbs for energy-efficient bulbs, carpooling, and perhaps most importantly, shifting our mindset to be more aware of little energy savings here and there, all go a long way to help reduce our carbon footprint. To learn more, see our 10 Simple Ways to Save Energy.
Calculating Our EmissionsWith the help of Carbonfund.org, we have used their carbon calculator to figure out our carbon footprint. By taking into account the number of people we have and their energy needs (computers, phones, etc), the square footage of our space and its energy needs, our transportation, our shipping, packaging and a host of other specifications, we were able to calculate our carbon emissions and their corresponding impact on our planet.
Carbonfund.org Offsets Your Carbon Emissions.Once we have determined our carbon emissions, through Carbonfund.org, we are able to purchase carbon credits which support carbon-reducing projects such as renewable energy, energy efficiency and reforestation projects. To learn more about the projects currently underway, please visit Carbonfund.org Projects
Yes, it is that simple. There are lots of nuts and bolts in the background, but that is why we chose to work with Carbonfund.org. They make it simple and affordable for individuals and organizations to have an impact on climate change, immediately. As in, now. Today. So our children have a healthy world to live in. (You get the idea....)
A hardy AO thank you goes out to Carbonfund.org for all that they do and we’d like to invite you to get active, do what you can, and help reduce the amount of carbon emissions in the world today.
