The Green Parent

So, you’re turning off lights, teaching your kids to recycle, walking to the store, and buying organic produce. Now what? Well, if you really want to go the extra green mile, you might try purchasing carbon offsets, or credits, that literally “offset” the energy you use at work, while traveling, or around the house. Ideally, the money you spend on your carbon credit will be used to support clean energy or reforestation projects that will remove the greenhouse gases caused by everyday resource consumption.

Are they worth it? The jury’s still out. One way to look at the issue is that carbon credits let you pay for the privilege to pollute. But that’s not to say that carbon credits in and of themselves should be seen as negative. After all, if you have to fly across the country, it’s certainly a good idea to try to neutralize the damage. They also make a fantastic gift for that eco-minded friend or relative has everything.

The key is to make sure that the credits you purchase will actually be used to support a green project. Here’s how to make sure your offsets are legit.

Do your homework. Before you spend your hard earned dollars on carbon offsets, check out a carbon credit buying guide such as Clean Air-Cool Planet to get a better idea of what to look for in a carbon credit company.

Dig in

. Research the company to make sure it is legit. Look for those that are certified and audited by a third party such as Environmental Resources Trust or the Climate, Community, and Biodiversity Alliance.

Try it. Check out the carbon offsets offered by Carbon Fund or Green-e.