Reducing Your CO2 Emissions

Via Carbonfund.org: Tips for reducing your CO2 emissions.

Carbonfund.org is a non-profit organization that seeks to educate the public about the dangers of climate change. They also offer carbon offsets for tax deductible contributions.

"We impact the climate in many ways everyday, probably in ways you’ve never thought about.

Every time we flick on a light, turn on the heat or AC, cook, use our computer, drive or fly, we are using electricity or gas or oil. Consider that over 55% of our electricity comes from coal and almost all our heat is from oil or natural gas and you start to see the problem. Your car? Well, that’s obvious.

The average American is responsible for about 10 tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually through these ‘direct’ energy uses.

Unfortunately, it gets a bit worse. Consider all the pollution caused from some of the things we buy or use: clothes, food, roads, buildings, work, packaging, TVs, disposable diapers, toothpaste, everything plastic. Yes, even our iPods.

It really adds up. In fact, Americans on average are responsible for over 24 tons of CO2 per year. That’s almost twice a typical European and ten times the average Chinese person. As a country, America has just four percent of the global population but emits over 25% of the emissions causing climate change.

Carbonfund wants to help you reduce your climate footprint and offset the rest."

Awareness and Urgency Around Global Warming Growing: CBS Poll

Via Pollingreport.com: a CBS poll on climate change points to more awareness and urgency among the public when it comes to global warming.

In response to this question: "Global warming is a term used to describe changes in the temperature of the earth's atmosphere which could result in changes in the environment. How much have you heard or read about global warming: a lot, some, not much or nothing at all?", 41% answered "A lot" this year compared with 27% in 2003.

In response to the question: "Do you think global warming is an environmental problem that is causing a serious impact now, or do you think global warming isn't having a serious impact?", 66% answered "Serious impact now" versus 59% in 2003.

Tropics Expanded to Poles by 140 Miles in Last 27 Years

Via USA Today: Tropics are expanding, study finds.

Some aspects of the results are consistent with global-warming projections, team members note. If the cause does prove to be global warming, these results would represent the first direct satellite evidence of its impact on worldwide atmospheric circulation, says team leader Qiang Fu, a researcher at the University of Washington.

Tags: global warming, climate change

Case Closed: The Debate about Global Warming is Over

In this paper (pdf), Gregg Easterbrook, from the Brookings Institution lays out everything you need to know about global warming.

Here's the short version of everything you need to know about global warming. First, the consensus of the scientific community has shifted from skepticism to near-unanimous acceptance of the evidence of an artificial greenhouse effect. Second, while artificial climate change may have some beneficial effects, the odds are we're not going to like it. Third, reducing emissions of greenhouse gases may turn out to be much more practical and affordable than currently assumed.

Tags: global warming, climate change

What Is a Carbon Offset?

Via the David Sizuki Foundation this article about carbon offsets:

A “carbon offset” is an emission reduction credit from another organization’s project that results in less carbon dioxide or other greenhouse gases in the atmosphere than would otherwise occur. Carbon offsets are typically measured in tons of CO2-equivalents, and are bought and sold through a number of international brokers, retailers and trading platforms.

The article goes on to describe the merits of different types of carbon offsets based on how permanent the projects are they invest in and how well they reduce the world's dependence on fossil fuels. It concludes with this advice:

Regardless of the offset type one chooses, it is advisable to purchase offsets that have been verified by an independent third party. Some NGOs and private offsets providers arrange third party verification for the offsets they offer, although the criteria and standards that are applied can vary.

"CO2: they call it pollution, we call it Life!"

The Competitive Enterprise Institute released a series of ads (see them both here) to counter claims that CO2 contributes to polution. After all, "the fuels that produce CO2 have freed us from a world of backbraking labor", according to one of the ads. As you can imagine the ads have sparked quite a few comments in the blogosphere.

Tags: global warming, climate change

WorldChanging: Another World Is Here: Why Aren't Americans 'Very Worried' About the Climate?

WorldChanging: Another World Is Here: Why Aren't Americans 'Very Worried' About the Climate?. Via WorldChanging

The World Has Dumped Its Pollution on China

Interesting paragraph from Morgan Stanley's Global Economic forum today:

The world has dumped its pollution in China in the past five years. According to China’s EPA, China’s pollution is 12 times the world average per unit of GDP. The emission of sulfur dioxide is 22.5 mn tons compared to the maximum carrying capacity of 12 for the country. Two-fifths of the seven major river basins are severely polluted. 90% of the rivers running through cities suffer from severe pollution problems. 300 million rural residents have no access to purified water. One-third of China’s territory suffers from the effects of acid rain. Two-thirds of the population suffers from poor air quality.

In his analysis, Andy Xie says this is about to change, with inflationary consequences :

"China is waking up to the need to normalize pollution costs. Guangdong Province may close thousands of businesses that do not meet environmental regulations. The NDRC just issued tightening instructions on the carbide-based PVC industry that creates serious pollution."

Tags: global warming, climate change, china, economics

World Carbon Dioxide Emissions from Oil Use by Region, Reference Case, 1990-2025

This report (pdf) , based on a July 2005 study from the Energy Information Administration forecasts carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from oil consumption globally until 2025. As you would expect, the biggest annual growth predictions are for emerging economies such as India and China.

Carbon Offset Defined

Carbon offset defined.