Can we carbon offset our way to a sustainable future? In short, no. Reducing carbon emissions needs to be our top priority when planning the impact we will have on the environment.
Carbon Offsetting does not technically reduce your carbon footprint. Carbon offsetting funds projects that absorb or remove CO₂ from the atmosphere, but it’s best to avoid putting that carbon into the atmosphere in the first place.
A simple way to think about it is to think of greenhouse gas pollution like any other kind of pollution: Would you throw plastic bags into the sea just because you fund a project in Indonesia that removes plastic from the sea? Of course not. Because you understand that pollution causes damage when it’s circulating in ecosystems, even if it’s eventually removed. CO₂ is no exception.
That’s why, before we offset our personal, family, or business carbon emissions, we need to eliminate as much emissions as we can. Then we can use carbon offsets to make up for the emissions we can’t eliminate today.
We may be in the business of carbon removal offsets, but we’re the first to tell people that you cannot rely on this alone. We exist to offset the emissions that today are impossible to avoid. To ensure these offsets are long lasting and impactful, we focus on projects that empower people to drive change in their community and in our shared environment.
For ideas on how you can reduce your carbon footprint, check out this post: A Deeper Look: How You Can Reduce Carbon Emissions Daily in Your Own Home
