Carbon Footprint Offsetting - What's It All About?

image via the Carbon Catablog

By now, it is generally known that each of us contributes to global warming and the degradation of our environment by our “carbon footprint.” And many of us know that some companies and governments offset that impact by purchasing credits. What a lot of us don’t know is how that works.

Does purchasing an offset actually cancel out pollution?

Well, it doesn’t reduce the pollution that is generated. What carbon offsetting aims to do is compensate for emissions by funding a savings somewhere else. For example, trees naturally capture and remove CO2 from the air. So as a carbon emissions offset, a company might invest in a program to plant more trees and reduce the effects of the emissions from its manufacturing plants.

Does this work?

It’s a subject still under discussion. There have been accusations that carbon offsetting is a type of modern “indulgence” selling. And there have been some questionable ethics related to some types of offsetting, particularly tree planting. Trees don’t reach maturity overnight, yet some offset retailers will sell the expected savings before the trees are able to do the job (known as forward-selling). Because of some of these practices, some critics have become suspicious of offset programs. Yet, others still see value in offsetting, but are taking steps towards accountability: setting standards, baselines and measurements, determining how permanent a carbon reduction might be and verification of the offset. The UK are leaders in this area of accountability, with companies like British Airways lining up to be certified under the new rules.

What about offsets for web-based companies?

Yes, even internet companies have carbon footprints, just by virtue of the computer equipment and hosting services they use. But even here it’s possible to fund carbon emission reductions through an offset. One method is by using hosting services that employ green technology. Another is to actually purchase offsets and affiliating with non-profits like Greenscroll.org who support wind and solar projects. Both of these methods are used by ZoomPool.

Of course, the best option is work towards not having to have carbon offset schemes. By living and working greener and encouraging the development of greener technologies, we may improve the health of our planet and all enjoy the benefits. In the meantime, doing what you can is always a good choice. And as you might guess, we think ridesharing is one of those choices. Choose ZoomPool for ridesharing – we use social media and certification to filter out the “creep” factor so you can feel even better about carpooling. Carpool to your next event and you may make a lifelong friend or business associate!

Alternative Fuel Update: Zinc Air Batteries

T.Edison's Electric Car (via the Smithsonian Institution)

A few years ago, E.O. Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory described zinc air batteries as “Electrochemical cell that shows promise of exceeding performance targets set by the Department of Energy for battery power and energy density in electric vehicles.”

This year, Energizer began marketing their “prism” battery, a zinc air battery that, though not rechargeable, is meant to have as much as three times the life of a lithium battery. Other manufacturers are considering rechargeable zinc air batteries, and zinc air button cells are already used for hearing aid and watch batteries. Some of the attraction for this technology stems from the fact that it produces very dense energy (although at a low level), manufacturing may be cheaper than other types of batteries and – when properly sealed – zinc air cells have a much longer shelf life than lithium. But there are drawbacks.

Electropaedia lists several shortcomings for zinc air:

• Sensitive to extreme temperature and humid conditions.
• Carbon dioxide from the air forms carbonate which reduces conductivity.
• High self discharge.
• After activation, chemicals tend to dry out and the batteries have to be used quickly.
• Although recharging is possible it is also inconvenient and is only suitable for high power types.
• High internal resistance which means zinc air batteries must be huge to satisfy high electrical current needs
• Huge, inconvenient-to-recharge batteries that don’t work well in the rain.

Doesn’t sound like the promising technology described by the Berkeley National Laboratory, does it?

Zinc air has been looked at as a fuel alternative for more than a decade. In 1995, the Science & Technology Review printed a paper on the development of the air cell by Lawrence Livermore Laboratory in California and its use in a shuttle bus borrowed from the Santa Barbara transit district. The paper, written by John Cooper, PhD. of the Laboratory, indicated that commercial production of the zinc air battery could begin as early as 2000 if significant progress could be made:

• Determining how many times the zinc reaction products could be recycled
• Determining the longevity of the battery in actual or simulated road conditions

From 2000 to 2003, the electric vehicle division of the Electric Fuel Corporation partnered with the U.S. Department of Transportation for a four-phase electric transit system using buses powered by zinc air technology, with an emphasis on commercialization. For reasons not stated, the program shutdown in 2004, though the information on it is still available, including a downloadable PDF. There is also a video on one of the buses as it was used in Las Vegas.

Metal air cell batteries could give a big boost to electric car sales if the technology can be improved so that the batteries don’t use up almost all of the car space and if recharging them wasn’t such a pain. Unfortunately not much research seems to have been done in the last five years, so we’re not likely to hear any more until 2020, when Toyota hopes to unveil a next-generation zinc or vanadium battery created by their new battery lab.

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If you’re planning on attending the 4th Annual Wellness Fair in Santa Cruz on August 22nd, consider carpooling. ZoomPool is the Fair's Rideshare Partner. Register at ZoomPool then click on our SmartBadge to find a compatible rideshare partner. It’s fast and free. You can reduce your carbon footprint and make a new friend at the same time, while sharing the costs and avoiding parking issues.

"Ecological Footprint" - What's Yours?

Treehugger is a great environmental site that provides lots of useful information, including an article about Ecological Footprinting and a new calculator for it, presented by the UK group Bioregional, which says that they are an “entrepreneurial charity with the aim of leading the way to sustainable living through practical demonstration.” The One Planet Living calculator was developed in response to the knowledge that green living isn’t just about reducing your carbon footprint. The calculator, with data analysis by Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI), asks several questions to determine a person’s impact on the environment through how much biologically productive land and water is consumed to support them and to absorb the waste generated by them. Using this methodology, they calculate that the global per capita target should be 1.8 global hectares of biologically productive land (biological poductive land divided by population). Bioregional’s research indicates that the average person in the UK has an ecological footprint of around 5.4 gha (global hectares) or 3 times the global per capita target, meaning that if everyone on the planet consumed and produced waste at the same rate as the average UK resident, world population would require two other planets just to support them! The Test The One Planet Living calculator allows you the choice of a short or long test. I took the short test and answered predictable questions such as the type of car driven and how many miles and somewhat unpredictable questions like whether or not I went to a museum or took a class in the last 12 months. At the end of the quiz, though I recycle everything I can and am not a frequent driver, my ecological footprint was rated at 5.8, or even above that of the average UK resident. Note that the calculator doesn’t take into account factors that are beyond your control, like the insulation the owner of your apartment building puts in or that your apartment refrigerator is an older model and therefore less energy efficient. In the view of Bioregional, whether or not you control these factors is irrelevant; you consume in that space, so your control or lack of it doesn’t affect the end result of that consumption. Very humbling. The Guidelines After the calculation, you’ll find 10 guidelines for sustainable living:

• Sustainable wat
• Zero carbon
• Zero waste
• Sustainable transport
• Local and sustainable food
• Sustainable water
• Natural habitats and wildlife
• Culture and heritage
• Equity and fair trade
• Health and happiness

Each section provides suggestions based on your quiz answers. In mine, for example, I indicated that I prefer showers and under “sustainable water” there was the comment, “Well done. Standard showers use less water than baths.”

Take a look at the One Planet Living Calculator and take the test to see how much of an impact you’re having. Even if you’ve done a good job reducing your carbon footprint, you may find – as I did - there is still a lot of room for improvement. And, as always, consider reducing your impact on the roadway by using public transport, cycling or walking, or ridesharing.