About Carbon Offsets
Carbon offsets represent projects that reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions.
There are different kinds of offset projects on the market, such as landfill
methane gas capture, forest carbon sequestration, and ecological restoration.
In addition, there are projects that not only help reduce CO2, but also support
the development of the renewable energy industry. These are called Renewable
Energy Certificates (RECs).
One of the most important ways of evaluating carbon offset projects is whether
they are third-party verified and certified. The RECs you purchase through Cool
It! are 100% third-party certified by Green-e,
which means that they meet the strict environmental and consumer protection
standards established by the non-profit Center for Resource Solutions. It also
ensures that each REC is not sold more than once or claimed by more than one
renewable energy generator. Cool It! RECs are sourced from California and national
wind farms through 3Degrees Inc..
Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) are sold by operators of wind farms and other clean energy generators based on how much energy they produce. For each megawatt (MW) of renewable energy delivered to the electricity “grid,” these operators can sell one REC on the energy market. RECs, therefore, provide a financial incentive for operators to produce renewable energy.
Since utilities are required to accept as much renewable energy as the operators produce, the more renewable power that is delivered to the grid, the less non-renewable (fossil fuel) energy is needed. And, given that the production and use of fossil fuel energy is the biggest contributor of carbon dioxide (CO2) and other global warming gases, the less of it that’s produced the better, and the cleaner our air will be. Thus, RECs encourage the development of energy technology that helps prevent global warming.
Consider this analogy:
Imagine that your bathtub is the electricity grid. The cold faucet delivers renewable energy; the hot faucet delivers fossil fuel based energy. Because we are using so much fossil fuel based energy, the water in the bathtub is too hot, and we have global warming. Therefore, to combat this warming, and cool the water down, we need to increase the cold water (renewable energy) and decrease the hot water (fossil fuel based energy).
By purchasing renewable energy certificates to offset the carbon dioxide produced when you drive a car or use other fossil fuels, you can support the growth of clean, renewable energy, and halt global climate change. Note: Buying RECs doesn't eliminate the CO2 produced by your car or other fossil fuel use, but it helps increase renewable energy production, which helps decrease the need for CO2-producing fossil fuel energy.
Buying RECs to offset your energy usage is similar to buying organic strawberries. You may not be able to see a difference, but you know they are healthier for you, your children, and the planet, and you are willing to pay a little extra for this value.
Fortunately, the less fossil fuel you use, the less CO2 you produce, and the less you need to pay for RECs to offset your emissions and become carbon neutral!
For tips on how you can directly reduce your CO2 emissions, click here.
