Take Control of Your Carbon Footprint
Much of our carbon footprint is out of our control. We do what we can by recycling, buying efficient appliances, and taking public transportation but we still have a large carbon footprint. Our options to do much more are limited. Even if we own our home it may not be suitable for solar or wind power. Deep energy retrofits such as EnerPHit produce efficient and healthy buildings but require disruption in building use and financial capital. We want to do something. Studies show that the 60% of Americans would even be willing to pay if something constructive was done to solve climate change. Money is one thing that is needed. An estimated $44 trillion is needed to finance a transition to a clean energy system. That investment would return $115 trillion in fuel savings.
We can take control by putting our savings to work and we do not have to sacrifice though taxes, penalties, donations, or any other type of expense. In lieu of raising taxes during wartime, governments raised money for the war effort by issuing savings bonds or “War Bonds”. Over 60% of Americans participated during the 1940s. In a modification to these “War Bonds”, governments and/or financial institutions could offer bonds that are dedicated to financing the clean energy effort; certified energy efficiency, energy storage, and renewable energy projects. The unit price of these bonds would be set to match the cost of a ton of carbon. For each unit purchased, one ton of the purchaser’s carbon footprint is offset. This profitable method provides an opportunity for individuals and companies large and small to take control and balance their carbon footprint. It would also finance the largest infrastructure transition in world history.
As human beings we do not want to hurt others. We want to make the world a better place. We want to be part of positive change. We do not like when things are out of our control. This method enables everyone to take control of their own carbon footprint and lets them participate in this positive change that will make the world a better place. The method of quantitatively offsetting one’s carbon footprint with investments in clean energy was developed by Carbon Xprint.
