Being a new buzz term made famous most recently by Al Gore, carbon neutrality really has no standard definition. First off, I must comment that it really is a misnomer to start. In this context, carbon really means carbon dioxide or the chemical formula C02. Carbon dioxide is generated when organic material burns or undergoes complete oxidation. Depending upon the efficiency of the combustion, carbon monoxide (CO) can also be generated. Carbon dioxide is a green house gas and the target of the "Carbon Neutrality" campaign. Since he buzz words "carbon neutrality" omit "dioxide", I will use the common terminology as well. Everyone will know that we are really talking about carbon dioxide.
Since I am no expert on the subject, I started by searching the web and blogs. I found a good source here, that discusses carbon neutrality:
In other words, when you consume energy either with your car, via electricity or consumer purchases, that consumption emits carbon to the atmosphere. The entire premise of the carbon neutrality effort is to offset those emissions via some mechanism. Should the offsets equal the emissions, then you will be so-called "carbon neutral".What makes a lifestyle "carbon neutral"?
We did some research and learned that there is no generally accepted definition of "carbon neutrality," but the premise is simple. For every ton of carbon you emit, whether directly by your actions or indirectly by your consumption decisions, you undertake a compensating action or consumption decision that reduces carbon emissions by the same amount. In principle, your ledger of carbon debits would equal your ledger of carbon credits.
Next post.....calculating your carbon emissions.
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posted by Jim VAT @ 7:54 PM
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