The Carbon Diet

Outed and in the news | Follow ups | Reportage | PT Mailbox | The Carbon Diet | Local discoveries | New poll | Homework

ACK! Outed and in the news [next item]
Well, no more anonymity for me. The Terrace Standard ran an article on Planet Terrace in the Community section today. (Could that photo be any bigger?!?) Thanks for the exposure, guys and the encouraging article.

One note: There was a small miscommunication about my sense of possibility and Terrace. I meant to get across the idea that, like New Zealand, Terrace is a small place and local people will confirm that change is incredibly possible here. Terracites who want to make a difference should feel empowered, not disabled, by the fact that Terrace is a small enough town to make things happen, but big enough to make a difference.

Planet readers, *share the love!*

Follow ups [next item]
Earth Day
Rumors are that Rotoract's first annual Recycle-a-thon was a huge success! I'd love someone at Rotoract to contact me to confirm the details, but hats off to everyone who came and contributed. YAY Terrace!

Trash vs. Treasure
Spring Clean-up Week seemed to go well, too. There were plenty of enthusiastic residents who were keen to throw out some extra garbage last week, but I do hope our Planet readers were trying to reduce the necessary amount somewhat. Please remember the old adage that one man's trash is another man's treasure. I know sometimes it's refreshing to just cut down the amount of stuff that you live with, but keep in mind that others could find your unwanted items charming and refreshing! (old underwear, lingerie and medical items, not so much) If, for instance, you're replacing that carpet because you never liked the color but it's in otherwise healthy condition, try to find a way to recycle it: donate it to a charity, give it to your carpet-art making friend, or re-use it in the playhouse, dog house or on a cat tree perhaps. A little bit of extra effort goes a long way to reducing our landfills.


Did someone mention landfills? [next item]
Consider this: in 2005 a California report noted that recycling 'waste' has reportedly two times the impact on the economy that burying it in the ground has: thanks to a growing interest and industry in recycling items of all kinds, an additional ton of recycled waste has to capacity to generate over $100 more in wages and product sales, and another $275 in goods and services. And that was in 2005. So if you thought that recycling was all about you, think again. You and the economy can benefit when we recycle... and if you're resourceful, you can find a way to make money off it, too! Garage sale anyone?

PT mailbox: Solutions [next item]
The Planet Terrace mailbox received a great suggestion a little while ago. Robert wrote in with a long-standing alternative to fossil fuel burning transport. Wait for it...

Walking.

Don't give me that look. I know you've heard the word before. Walking is that age old exercise of putting one foot in front of the other to get somewhere. Chances are the last time anyone got excited about you walking was when your parents cried over your first steps. Well, most of us spend the rest of our time on the planet trying to forget how, it seems. But Robert is quite right. Walking is as simple and gratifying an activity as they come. I'm sure you remember the sensation (though it may be largely and lately replaced by the feeling of putting the pedal to the metal). But when was the last time you and your sweetie strolled into town instead of taking the guzzler? It's spring now, the weather is (finally) improving and there's really no excuse. Some of you hard core runners, cyclists and outdoor enthusiasts will testify that you've been out in the elements long before spring (good on you!). And to be honest, our town is small and accessible enough (for the most part) to get to and around on foot when your set your mind to it. Add to that the bonus of helping to address the extra padding that I know *I* managed to store up over the winter and you get two for the price of one absolutely free! All you have to do is plan a little extra time to get what you need to do done, perhaps bring along a reusable shopping bag for any purchases you need to make, even invite a friend or bring the dog (that makes 3 for 1!) and you may even end up saving time AND money.

I want to add that Robert makes another good suggestion on the subject of walking:

"...let's jazz it up a bit," he says. "Make eye contact with passers-by, smile, say hello. A stronger sense of community is a requirement for greener, and gentler, living."

A welcome reminder, Robert, thanks.

The Carbon Diet [next item]
Ok. So last time I tried to get you thinking about carbon offsets. It's important to note that there's a fair bit more to be said about them, and not everyone has something positive to say. There are critics who equate carbon offsets to a guilt tax, similar to the pre-Catholic Reformation sale of indulgences in exchange for sinful absolution.* As long we can pay our way off, why bother reducing our impact on the planet? It's a valid question, but only if you presume that carbon offsets are the only effort we're making to reduce carbon output.

We can probably all agree that living in our culture is extremely difficult to do without generating some kind of carbon footprint. It's a cost that can't be entirely avoided due to our locations, our pre-established needs and choices, and our cultural entrenchment (so to speak). There are plenty of residents in Terrace who, for example, are hard-working, environmentally-minded small business owners who may need to drive a truck or SUV to successfully run that business and serve their locally-loyal customers (which also limits carbon output by reducing long distance transport to provide services). These companies can help promote alternative energy projects when they purchase an annual carbon offset pass for the footprint an otherwise earth-unfriendly vehicle makes. There's nothing guilty about that, and local businesses who pursue that option should be lauded for their forward thinking.

Another important factor in making sure carbon offsets are positive ones is to research the broker who's selling the offsets to be certain they have a good reputation and record of accountability. And the offsets themselves should be considered 'additional'. The David Suzuki Foundation describes additionality (and other offset concepts) in this article. It says:

"An offset project is considered additional if it isn't business as usual. Typically this means that the project wouldn't have happened without the extra funding from the sale of offsets. Additionality is extremely important, as the entire concept of offsetting... is based on the premise that those reductions wouldn't have happened otherwise."

But if all you or your business ever did was buy a carbon offset and proudly sport that sticker on your car as a status symbol, then yeah, you'd probably be a candidate for a Carbon Attitude Reformation.

The trick is to consider carbon offsets as part of a well-rounded carbon reduction diet. Just like other efforts that you're hopefully making (replacing incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs, stopping junk mail, recycling, etc.), carbon offsets will be one of the steps in your own personal journey of reducing that dreaded sasquatch footprint.

So the short equation is this:

Footprint – ANYTHING (+ nothing) = cooler planet

ANYTHING you change which reduces your carbon footprint and isn't replaced by an equally or more carbon damaging activity is going to help reduce global warming. It's that simple.

Recent local discoveries [next item]
Keep an eye on Planet Terrace in the near future! We're hoping to have some guest editors soon and lots of community feedback and contributions thanks to our recent increased exposure.

Poll round up
As always, check out the new poll! Submit your votes and check results for the current polls in the right column.
Our last poll results are as follows:

Ever heard of carbon offsetting?
25% - You bet, and I'm a big fan!
50% - Heard of it but never done it.
13% - Just heard of it and I'd like to try it.
13% - Yeah, and it's a load of bull.
Summary: 8 votes

Well, let's hope any skeptics have been somewhat appeased by today's info. Glad to hear some of you would like to give it a try, but do be smart about it.

Why haven't you posted a comment on Planet Terrace?
0% - I have! And I want to be the Supreme Commenter!
0% - I would, but I can't figure it out.
33% - I'm shy but supportive.
67% - I believe computer gremlins will come and attack me in my sleep if I express an opinion on the interweb.
Summary: 3 votes

Okay, folks. That's just disturbing. More people are afraid of mythical gremlins than anything. Let's get some input in here! I personally promise no harm will come to you.

Homework
Go for a walk! And don't forget to smile and say hi...
More recycling
Get to know a carbon offset provider
Have compact flourescents (CFLs) ready to replace incandescents when they go out.
Consider encouraging local businesses to carbon offset their vehicles
Keep up the good work!

* No religious indifference or insult is intended here. I'm not suggesting that carbon lifestyle changes constitute religion.

Back to top | Outed and in the news | Follow ups | Reportage | PT Mailbox | The Carbon Diet | Local discoveries | New poll | Homework

Tune in next week when we have some practical household footprint-reducing tips and report on new developments! Be there or expect a visit from the Carbon Attitude Police...

Anybody who has suggestions or has found interesting/innovative solutions for themselves, please share!