You are aware of what the Carbon Footprint is, and its impact not only on our lives , but also the entire world. However, did you also realize that you can to buy Carbon Credit to compensate for all the emissions that companies and people make?
As it is the most accountable gas that causes the imbalance in the Greenhouse Effect, we need to tackle global warming as well as climate change which are already, making their obvious presence. So, if we do not change the way we relate to carbon, we’ll face uncertainties in the future.
With the thought that the quantity of carbon released into the atmosphere is alarming the concept of carbon credit was conceived in 1997, and was based on the Kyoto Protocol.
The proposed plan was tied on the topic of the decrease of emissions of greenhouse gases. Countries must reduce their carbon footprint by 5.2 percent, as compared to numbers that were that were recorded in 1990, in addition to participating more actively in environmental problems.
The objectives of nations and companies need to be designed to reduce carbon emissions, without having to buy credits. Since the less purchase is necessary and the lower the amount of carbon that is released into the air.
Find out more information about carbon credits along with its advantages and drawbacks in this article.
What are the components that make carbon?
Photosynthesis is the best-known way of producing carbon. Living organisms absorb solar energy as well as carbon dioxide from air and then convert the carbon dioxide into oxygen. As they breathe and decomposition of living beings carbon is released too.
Carbon is created by aquatic, terrestrial, animal, and human beings. They produce it through the process of decay and by the utilization of fossil fuels, such as coal, oil, and natural gas. Carbon production happens each day via destruction of forests, pollution, and fires.
What are the carbon’s problems?
Carbon production began to become an issue due to the excessive amount of its production. The process, which would be natural and balanced, increased with the advent of human activity after the Industrial Revolution. This is why the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is now extremely harmful.
These emissions into the atmosphere disrupt the dynamics of natural warming that occurs on Earth. Instead of enjoying a natural greenhouse effect which is essential for maintaining a steady temperature across the globe We must tackle overheating because the higher levels of gases that are responsible for this process hinders heat from radiating out into space.
The amount of greenhouse gases affects the entire ecosystem of Earth, causing global warming. Overheating can cause global climate change. Our entire lifestyle is intrinsically dependent on the seasons, excessive or insufficient rain. Extreme cold and intense heat are the most significant aspects that alter the way we live on Earth.
Therefore, we follow drastic shifts like:
melting glaciers;
Dry and flooding;
loss of biodiversity;
volcanoes erupting, etc.
What is Carbon compensation?
There are various initiatives that aim to slow down carbon emissions. However, certain emissions are not a choice. However they can be offset or neutralized by investing are made into actions to reduce the amount of carbon that is released.
One carbon credit is one ton of carbon not released into the atmosphere. The price varies, and currently, in Brazil it’s about R$2000. Countries are able to purchase or sell carbon credits as companies. But this market shouldn’t be understood as the solution to releasing carbon on a whim. Instead, it’s the reverse.
Carbon compensation can be done by taking simple steps in daily life, like the reduction of energy use. Living a sustainable life can be used to compensate for carbon, so you could:
recycle;
choosing one or two times each week to not eat meat on one or two days a week;
rethink the use of cars;
are conscious about their consumption
in comparison to other.
The modifications made by companies on a regular basis need to be compared to the changes that are made by individuals.
Companies should choose eco-friendly infrastructure, ensuring environmental awareness, and even encouraging environmental actions with employees. Furthermore, they should to consider different forms of compensation, such as the purchase of carbon credits.
A different option for businesses is to promote planting trees and the creation of green areas. Individuals can also join this effort to become more environmentally friendly and support organizations that promote sustainable choices. Carbon compensation is a reality that must be thought of by everyone in order to ensure that the environment is not deteriorating for the life on Earth.
Read our article What are carbon footprints? and why does it affect your daily life. In this post, you’ll know more about carbon emissions and the impact of carbon on your life. There is still information for you to help limit greenhouse gas emissions.
Who is able to neutralize carbon emissions?
The carbon emissions that are released can be offset through companies and people.
It is increasingly common for companies to participate in this method of neutralizing emissions as well as purchasing carbon credits. Large global corporations are also involved in this process, such as Apple, Google, Microsoft, Mercedes-Benz and Unilever. Then, in Brazil, Natura put into practice its Carbon Neutral Program in 2007.
Companies are recognizing the link between environmental issues and economic growth. So, in addition to investing in sustainable initiatives, they have also begun to develop goals to reduce carbon emissions. Projects are as varied as possible, and can be:
investments in renewable energy
zero waste;
create biodegradable materials;
development of eco-friendly vehicles;
create a sustainable production chain;
in addition to.
Alongside the actions and changes within the production cycle of companies, some decide to invest in buying and selling of carbon credits which are now a brand new currency in the market for financial services. One carbon credit is equivalent to one ton of carbon dioxide that has not been released into the atmosphere.
The countries also take part in this movement to neutralize emissions. As in enterprises, their decisions need be planned in a way that is sustainable. Furthermore, they may take part in the carbon credit market.
Advantages of the Carbon Credit
As mentioned earlier, each carbon credit corresponds to one tonne of carbon dioxide that wasn’t emitted by the earth. Thus, just possessing the right to buy the credit can be an advantage. A company or a country who doesn’t see any other option to cut down on its emission finds an advantage by choosing to trade carbon credits.
For certain countries, organizations as well as companies, the value is in the sale of carbon credits, as they are institutions that manage to cut down on the use of carbon. This way, they enhance their economies by providing the benefits of investing in sustainable initiatives that they plan to develop.
The purchase of carbon credits from companies who are eco-conscious is favorable for their image. Sometimes the company behaves sustainably however there is some carbon it cannot stop emitting. In this instance the credit purchase shows how much the company considers encouraging sustainable actions.
Advantages of Carbon Credit
The major drawback of carbon credit is precisely on the exchange market. Certain organizations and countries are able to take advantage of the market and continue to emit greenhouse gases. They do not take measures to reduce emissions since they are able to buy unlimited credits.
In this scenario, the reduction of 1 ton of carbon, that is, one credit won’t be enough. Becausein reality there will be a person who uses this tonof carbon, and therefore there is no emission reduction. This is one of the reasons why it creates a lot of controversy among environmentalists and world leaders.
Carbon credit is also to be considered in a sustainable way. Be aware that it’s an alternative to emergency situations and not to rely on the fact that the other has saved.
All of us must focus on cutting the greenhouse gases emissions. In this way, we be able stop the negative effects caused by global warming.
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