Carbon offsetting focuses on reducing the negative effects of greenhouse gas emissions by persons or organizations caused either unknowingly or with awareness. In this system, when your actions emit the pollutants, you opt for measures to prevent emissions some where else in the world to negate the effects of your actions. Thus a fine balance can be struck in levels of emission across the world, which will help in preventing greater harm to the environment.
In theory, spearheading or taking part in green campaigns in your neighbourhood, planting saplings in your garden, or doing anything that will negate the harmful effects of CO2 and other greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, are good ways to engage in carbon offsetting. However, this is not always practical, which is why the carbon offset system was suggested as an easier way where you can pay an organization to make up for the harm done by you to the atmosphere. That organization then invests the money in ecological projects running anywhere in the world.
Companies and states play a lead role in carbon offsetting and under the Clean Development Mechanism of the Kyoto Protocol, the developing countries are generally paid by the more advanced nations for maintaining the overall rate of emissions within safe limits.
Critics of carbon offset argue that it evades dealing with the basic problem of harm that is being caused by you. Carbon offsetting and carbon trading entail financial contribution to counterbalance the damage instead of stopping it from happening.
However, the proponents of theses systems argue that financial rewards in carbon trading are adequate to motivate companies to opt for greener ways of carrying on business. Likewise, in case of individuals, a system like carbon offset permits them to promote their eco friendly image and generate awareness about this cause. People have been inspired to opt for carbon offset as several public figures have endorsed and adopted it. The efficacy of the system is reflected in its fast growth over the last decade and a majority of people now recognize the immense potential that it holds.
In theory, spearheading or taking part in green campaigns in your neighbourhood, planting saplings in your garden, or doing anything that will negate the harmful effects of CO2 and other greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, are good ways to engage in carbon offsetting. However, this is not always practical, which is why the carbon offset system was suggested as an easier way where you can pay an organization to make up for the harm done by you to the atmosphere. That organization then invests the money in ecological projects running anywhere in the world.
Companies and states play a lead role in carbon offsetting and under the Clean Development Mechanism of the Kyoto Protocol, the developing countries are generally paid by the more advanced nations for maintaining the overall rate of emissions within safe limits.
Critics of carbon offset argue that it evades dealing with the basic problem of harm that is being caused by you. Carbon offsetting and carbon trading entail financial contribution to counterbalance the damage instead of stopping it from happening.
However, the proponents of theses systems argue that financial rewards in carbon trading are adequate to motivate companies to opt for greener ways of carrying on business. Likewise, in case of individuals, a system like carbon offset permits them to promote their eco friendly image and generate awareness about this cause. People have been inspired to opt for carbon offset as several public figures have endorsed and adopted it. The efficacy of the system is reflected in its fast growth over the last decade and a majority of people now recognize the immense potential that it holds.
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