| Each year, the average car emits about 10,000 lbs (three times its weight!) in carbon dioxide – a leading cause of global warming. |
You buy a TerraPass. |
TerraPass funds carbon reduction projects. |
Your TerraPass is third-party verified to reduce the equivalent of your carbon dioxide. |
A carbon offset is a certificate representing the reduction of one metric ton (2,205 lbs) of carbon dioxide emissions, the principal cause of global warming. Although complex in practice, carbon offsets are fairly simple in theory. If you develop a project that reduces carbon dioxide emissions, every ton of emissions reduced results in the creation of one carbon offset. Project developers can then sell these offsets to finance their projects.
There are hundreds of different types of carbon reduction projects. For example, a wind farm generates clean energy, which reduces carbon emissions from coal-burning power plants. In order to finance its operations, a wind farm can sell these reductions in the form of carbon offsets.
Are carbon offsets a substitute for conservation?
Absolutely not. TerraPass is permission to do all you can to be a good steward of the environment. Our actions affect the environment in all sorts of ways, and TerraPass is one way individuals can take responsibility for that impact. TerraPass exists to help people who wish to be responsible about their actions and how they affect everyone’s environment. We encourage everyone to think broadly about how best to preserve the environment for future generations.
The good news is that a recent survey of our customers reveals that they seek all kinds of ways to reduce their impact.