There was a time in the not-so-distant past when being environment-friendly simply meant recycling your garbage properly. But the inconvenient and uncomfortable truth of climate change, worries over global warming and rising sea levels, extreme weather incidents and depletion of natural resources have all combined to shift the goal posts far beyond the basics. People can't claim eco awareness now unless they lead a carbon neutral life.
It's a simple but strikingly brilliant concept. If every entity, be it an individual, business or organization, learns to take responsibility for curbing their own carbon emissions, there isn't anything more that needs to be done. It doesn't work that way in reality because people have other priorities that take precedence over leading a green lifestyle.
The biggest problem, however, is that most people still don't know how important this is. That's why most governments and non-profit organizations focus more on raising awareness than on passing laws or forcing people to make choices that are less harmful to the planet. The events held worldwide on Earth Day and Earth Hour are not just to save energy, but to engage millions of people and let them know how they can take responsibility for their own energy consumption and why it's important.
But let's say a person who's now eco-aware wants to lead a green and carbon-neutral lifestyle. It can be done using two methods. The first one is to reduce emissions as far as possible. The second way is to offset whatever there is left over with carbon credits.
Reducing emissions is done by looking at every single aspect of a person's life and activities, and finding ways to make it less harmful to the environment. For example, those who want to eliminate the impact of their vehicle usage can buy electric vehicles and install a solar power generation system to charge the car battery using clean power. It's not easy or cheap to make this transition, but it ends up providing a zero-carbon and free mode of transportation that doesn't need gas.
Usage of energy and other resources within the home can likewise be reduced a lot. A full energy retrofit will cut down the electricity needed and the utility bills. It gets even better in an LEED certified property. For instance, dual-flush tanks in the toilets and artificial grass replacing a lawn will save a lot of water.
Companies can likewise make the workplace eco-friendly by implementing green practices and using natural materials to reduce pollution associated with their products. Paperless offices will contribute in the fight against deforestation, and factories powered by clean energy from rooftop solar arrays can claim to be green. Recycling of industrial waste instead of sending it to landfills or dumping it into drains that ultimately end up in the rivers and oceans is another way that companies can be responsible.
Even with all such efforts deployed, it's still impossible to be a zero carbon entity. Thankfully, whatever is left over can be offset by purchasing credits. There's a price to be paid, but it's simple - the seller plants trees, generates clean power or undertakes some other such activity that actually reduces carbon emissions. The buyer can pay for credits equivalent to a specific part of that reduction.
It's a simple but strikingly brilliant concept. If every entity, be it an individual, business or organization, learns to take responsibility for curbing their own carbon emissions, there isn't anything more that needs to be done. It doesn't work that way in reality because people have other priorities that take precedence over leading a green lifestyle.
The biggest problem, however, is that most people still don't know how important this is. That's why most governments and non-profit organizations focus more on raising awareness than on passing laws or forcing people to make choices that are less harmful to the planet. The events held worldwide on Earth Day and Earth Hour are not just to save energy, but to engage millions of people and let them know how they can take responsibility for their own energy consumption and why it's important.
But let's say a person who's now eco-aware wants to lead a green and carbon-neutral lifestyle. It can be done using two methods. The first one is to reduce emissions as far as possible. The second way is to offset whatever there is left over with carbon credits.
Reducing emissions is done by looking at every single aspect of a person's life and activities, and finding ways to make it less harmful to the environment. For example, those who want to eliminate the impact of their vehicle usage can buy electric vehicles and install a solar power generation system to charge the car battery using clean power. It's not easy or cheap to make this transition, but it ends up providing a zero-carbon and free mode of transportation that doesn't need gas.
Usage of energy and other resources within the home can likewise be reduced a lot. A full energy retrofit will cut down the electricity needed and the utility bills. It gets even better in an LEED certified property. For instance, dual-flush tanks in the toilets and artificial grass replacing a lawn will save a lot of water.
Companies can likewise make the workplace eco-friendly by implementing green practices and using natural materials to reduce pollution associated with their products. Paperless offices will contribute in the fight against deforestation, and factories powered by clean energy from rooftop solar arrays can claim to be green. Recycling of industrial waste instead of sending it to landfills or dumping it into drains that ultimately end up in the rivers and oceans is another way that companies can be responsible.
Even with all such efforts deployed, it's still impossible to be a zero carbon entity. Thankfully, whatever is left over can be offset by purchasing credits. There's a price to be paid, but it's simple - the seller plants trees, generates clean power or undertakes some other such activity that actually reduces carbon emissions. The buyer can pay for credits equivalent to a specific part of that reduction.
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