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  • Carbon Offsetting
  • What happens now?
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• The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee

Carbon Offsetting

Everyday actions – like driving a car, flying and even using your computer – produce emissions of carbon dioxide, which contribute to climate change.

Before choosing to offset, think about taking action to tackle your emissions in the following order:

1. Calculate how much carbon dioxide you produce at home and through the transport you use (this is your 'carbon footprint').

The Climate Justice Fund is managed by aid agency Tearfund, and helps churches and individuals to calculate their carbon footprint and compare it with what is considered to be their ‘fair share’ of emissions. www.climatejusticefund.org. Or you could use the Carbon Calculator at www.carbonfootprint.com.

2. Once you know the size of your carbon footprint, you can start to act. You can avoid many emissions, for example by walking instead of driving, or turning off the TV or computer when it is not in use.

3. You can then take action to reduce your remaining emissions. Examples are using public transport instead of driving, using low-energy light bulbs or turning down your thermostat at home.

4. Many emissions cannot currently be avoided or reduced. You could consider offsetting some or all of these remaining emissions.