If you’re on a quest to become “carbon neutral” – zero out your carbon emissions to help mitigate climate change – carbon offsets are a useful tool. Carbon offsets are a certificate for a one metric ton (2205 pounds) reduction in carbon dioxide emissions. The reduction in carbon dioxide from renewable energy projects can be sold as offsets, helping to finance these projects critical to developing clean power resources. The first step is to calculate your carbon footprint – amount of CO2 emissions -- from home energy use, cars and air travel. Carbon footprint calculators do this for you easily.
