You may be doing everything that you possibly can to reduce your carbon footprint, but it still might not be enough. Despite your energy saving, recycling and green transportation efforts at home and at work, you still may feel like you are not adequately reducing your carbon footprint. One way you can do this is to purchase carbon credits that will allow you to become more carbon neutral.

What is carbon neutral?

Carbon neutral refers to balancing the amount of carbon dioxide you release with that amount that you can offset.  When you become carbon neutral any carbon dioxide that you release through your energy consumption or car emissions can be compensated for when you use renewable energy sources or buy carbon credits.

What is a carbon credit?

A carbon credit is a way to help individuals and companies reduce their carbon dioxide emissions by offsetting them in a more environmentally friendly way. It is basically a monetary value given by an organization that can be bought and used to pay for carbon dioxide offsetting services that fund renewable energy research and development and other environmental practices.

What does a carbon credit buy?

For people that want to reduce their carbon footprint, carbon credits can be purchased and exchanged with other environmental organizations.  These organizations have been approved to sell carbon credits and provide services to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. These services help pay for:

• Renewable energy sources such as solar, wind and geothermal energy
• Energy efficiency technology
• Reforestation practices
• Planting trees
• Low-emission machines
• Organic farming
• Waste-to-energy projects

What are the benefits of buying carbon credits?

Even though you pay for carbon credits you are still helping the environment and reducing your carbon footprint. Here are some other benefits of purchasing carbon credits:

• Reduces carbon dioxide emissions
• Saves energy
• Provides employment opportunities
• Increases awareness of global warming
• Conserves natural habitats and resources
• Introduces new technology

The most important aspect of buying carbon credits is that you know your money is going to an eco-friendly and sustainable cause.

Where can I purchase carbon credits?

There are many environmental organizations that offer their services when you purchase carbon credits. Here are a few:

AtmosClear Climate Club

Designs corporate social/environmental responsibility programs focused on climate change with an emphasis on educating and engaging organizations and consumers.

Bonneville Environmental Organization

Founded in 1998 to support watershed restoration programs and develop new sources of renewable energy.

CarbonFund.org

Supports renewable energy, energy efficiency and reforestation projects globally that reduce carbon dioxide emissions and the threat of climate change.

Clean Air Conservancy

Non-partisan, non-profit organization dedicated to continuously improving our shared environment by retiring marketable emission-reduction credits.

e-Blue Horizons

Organization that focuses on greenhouse gas emissions reductions and the promotion of reforestation.

LiveNeutral

Grassroots, nonprofit organization that focuses on the prevention of global warming.

Native Energy

Private organization that helps build Native American, farmer-owned, community based renewable energy projects that create social, economic and environmental benefits.

Planktos

Ecorestoration company based in San Francisco with offices in the European Union and British Columbia whose focus is to restore damaged habitats in the ocean and on land.

TerraPass

Organizations that helps individuals reduce their carbon footprint and funds clean energy and efficiency projects.

Solar Electric Light Fund

Non-profit charitable organization founded in 1990 to promote, develop, and facilitate solar rural electrification and energy SELF-sufficiency in developing countries.

Standard Carbon

Business that provides access, education and action on climate change.

Sustainable Travel International

Non-profit organization, dedicated to providing education and outreach services that help travelers, travel providers and related organizations support environmental conservation.

When you purchase carbon credits you help lower your carbon footprint and you prevent global warming. Before you purchase your carbon credits always make sure that the organization you are supporting is legit and is truly helping the environment.