Calculate your carbon output
Posted by DavidM in Family plan, Save energy | 29 August 2006
At the World Land Trust you can buy 'offsets' to balance your carbon output. You calculate the amount of carbon you produce then make a donation that enables them to fund biodiversity projects that offset it.
Part of the site is a tool for calculating your lifestyle and holiday carbon output.
I tried it for my family of four. Based on two cars doing around 30mpg and a combined total of 16,500 miles a year, catching the train to London twice a week and our electricity and gas consumption in the house, the calculator estimated we produce 28.28 tonnes of CO2 each year which would cost £173.92 to offset.
So for less than £15 a month I could fund projects that negate most of my family's impact.
I'm not a big fan of offsetting instead of reducing, but the calculator is a good idea and I'm surprised the cost is so low.
Hat tip: Tree hugger
