Newsletters
Carbonfund.org Turns 6, Reaches 5 Billion Pounds of CO2 Offset!
by Lesley Carlson
We reached the 6th anniversary of when Carbonfund.org was registered as a 501(c)(3). And, four days from now is our daughter Renee’s 6th birthday. Yes, fall 2003 was busy for the Carlsons, but it was all intertwined. Eric had long worked on energy efficiency and his interest in renewable energy as a way to solve climate change, but he saw no sign of the breakthrough necessary to really solve the problem. Seeing our beautiful Sonja born in Fall 2001 made the matter personal and urgent. What would happen to our child if global warming continued on its threatening march? Would we be able to say to her that we did what we could to stop it?
BOOK REVIEW: What’s The Worst That Could Happen? By Greg Craven
by Eric Carlson
A lot of people are extremely passionate about fighting climate change, reducing CO2 emissions and staving off a global catastrophe. And by “a lot”, I mean, well, maybe 10-20%. The fact is most people, on any issue, are rather agnostic, have a tacit support for something but certainly are not in the trenches fighting on a day-to-day basis. An overwhelming majority of people want health care reform, millions of people are against it, and yet it is big news when a hundred “passionate” people show up to a town hall meeting of a member of Congress.
House Passes Historic Climate Change Bill
June 26, 2009
Just a few moments ago, the US House of Representatives passed the historic American Clean Energy and Security Act (ACES), otherwise known as cap-and-trade. The vote passed 219-212.
The bill’s goal is to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 83% by 2050. While the bill still must go through the Senate and then conference before heading to the President, it represents a major accomplishment in the fight against climate change.
Carbonfund.org Reaches Out to College & University Campuses
Building on the partnerships we have with colleges and universities, Carbonfund.org is conducting an outreach effort to colleges and universities about their carbon footprint and value of partnering with Carbonfund.org on their offsetting. We’re also interested in working with colleges and universities that can help us convey our message of ending global warming and the importance of reducing one’s carbon footprint to their campus communities.
Carbon Offsets & US Cap-and-Trade System Can Work Hand in Hand on Global Warming
Under President Obama, the US is rapidly moving toward a comprehensive cap-and-trade system to reduce carbon emissions. President Obama’s proposed budget according to Reuters includes billions in revenues generated through cap-and-trade. As currently envisioned, the plan is estimated to help America achieve 83% emissions reductions below 2005 levels by 2050. Carbon offsets are important to helping achieve these reductions and making a cap-and-trade work effectively.
Carbonfund.org’s Event and Wedding Calculators Go Live!
Whether you’re planning a large or small event, our new event calculator can determine the carbon footprint of your event and make your event CarbonFree® by offsetting in support of Carbonfund.org’s verified carbon reduction projects. Also, be sure to check out our new ZeroCarbonTM Weddings page, developed with our partner WeddingWire, the leading wedding technology company. Our weddings page includes our wedding calculator and preset options for different weddings.
Motorola Teams with Carbonfund.org on the World’s First CarbonFree® Certified Phone
The Renew phone (MOTO W233), available at T-Mobile USA stores, offers environmentally responsible design with functionality and quality. Not only is the plastic housing of Renew made from plastics comprised of recycled water bottles and is 100% recyclable, it is the world’s first phone to be certified CarbonFree®.
Motorola is offsetting the carbon dioxide emissions generated in the manufacturing, distribution and operation of the phone through investments in renewable energy sources, including the New Bedford Landfill Methane project, and reforestation. The phone has earned Carbonfund.org’s CarbonFree® Product Certification after an extensive product life-cycle assessment.
Looking Ahead: 2009 Climate Action
For years, those of us that have been fighting global warming at all levels, from policy to the voluntary carbon market, to grassroots organizing have been looking forward to 2009. As a nation we have stood still for far too long in spite of overwhelming evidence that global warming requires action now. But inaction on the national level has really brought to light who are among the leaders in the fight – the individuals saving energy, organizing for change and offsetting their emissions, and the businesses that in spite of a weak economic climate, are refusing to drop their commitments to environmental sustainability. These are the people who helped elect a president who campaigned heavily on a commitment to fight global warming. These are the people who will ensure that 2009 will not pass like so many years before it; these are the people who will ensure that 2009 is the year for climate action.
My New Year’s Resolution 2009
Guest Columnist Chris Sewell, Carbonfund.org Partnerships Team
My 2009 resolution is to focus on reducing my home electricity and material use. Recently, I’ve invested in electric strips that I turn off when appliances aren’t in use (many appliances use energy even when they are not on!), and I’m wearing more sweaters this year so I can be comfortable when I turn down the heat. But I’m now at the age where many companies seem to think I earn enough to want to spend it all on their products, and thus I need more catalogs to peruse. I understand the concept of “target demographic,” and I do not begrudge any companies for reaching out to me. But these catalogs carry with them a carbon footprint, and I don’t even need the stuff they are selling.
Motorola Teams with Carbonfund.org on the World’s First CarbonFree® Certified Phone
The Renew phone (MOTO W233), available in Q1 2009 at T-Mobile USA, offers environmentally responsible design with functionality and quality. Not only is the plastic housing of Renew made from plastics comprised of recycled water bottles and 100 percent recyclable, it is the world’s first CarbonFree® certified phone.
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Contact: Ivan Chan, Marketing & Communications Director, ichan@carbonfund.org, (240) 247-0630
