Offset the Carbon from Your Next Adventure
“The world will be what we make of it.”
—Kate Marvel, Associate research scientist, Columbia University; NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies (GISS); lead chapter author of the fifth US National Climate Assessment.
For your next traveling adventure, consider purchasing carbon offsets. Buying one $18 offset conservatively covers the greenhouse gases generated by 2,000 miles of travel.
While not a permanent solution, certified carbon offsets
help mitigate emissions while we work on reducing emissions and developing or improving technology.
There are a number of carbon offset companies, such as The Good Traveler or Native Energy, whose projects are verified by standards such as the Gold Standard, Verified Carbon Standard, Climate Action Reserve or American Carbon Registry.
You can buy carbon offsets from Native Energy here.
If you are uncertain about offsets, donate to a nonprofit organization working on climate action.
The Good Traveler offers both certified carbon offsets and the option to donate to local nonprofit organizations, including the Yellowstone-Teton Clean Cities, which will receive funding for its clean transportation projects through your purchase.
Tools like GivingGreen can also help you make informed choices.
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has determined that we need to cut greenhouse gas emissions in half by 2030 and achieve net zero emissions by 2050 to avoid the worst effects of climate change. Many of us in the climbing community care deeply about
climate action and are already taking steps to help achieve these goals, from taking advantage of tax credits for electric vehicles to advocating for climate policy. For example, Tommy
Caldwell joined Jeremy Jones through Protect Our Winters to help successfully lobby for the landmark federal climate bill in the US.
Whether you decide to reduce your travel, carpool, switch to an electric vehicle, buy offsets or support a local nonprofit working on climate action, reducing net emissions from transportation helps the longterm viability of the planet.
