Each of us, by virtue of our daily activities – driving, flying, running our homes – is directly and indirectly responsible for pollution and the atmospheric accumulation of greenhouse gases. Quantifying these activities allows us to determine the number of carbon credits or renewable energy certificates (RECs) to buy to offset your particular carbon footprint.

Carbon offsetting works like this: whatever pollution you add to the atmosphere, you can “subtract” by purchasing carbon offsets. These are credits for emissions reductions achieved by projects such as solar installations and wind farms. By purchasing carbon offsets you can apply them against your own footprint and reduce your net impact on the environment.

When you offset with The Sustainable Group, we buy carbon credits through the Chicago Climate Exchange (CCX) and/or through our network of environmental market professionals. In either case, you can rest assured that we are buying high quality, third party verified emissions credits.

We also show you how to reduce emissions through conservation. Reducing your driving, monitoring your thermostat, and even making sure you buy your food from local producers can make a real difference. Choose to support carbon-neutral businesses (or those that offer a carbon-neutral product or service). Take the time to ask businesses you deal with to consider becoming carbon neutral. Also, do write to your political leaders and ask them to enact legislation that makes it easy for everyone to reduce their carbon footprint. It really does make a difference.

Once you’ve taken steps to reduce your own emissions, encourage friends and family to do the same. While conserving energy should be a first priority, purchasing carbon offsets is another way to encourage the transition away from fossil fuels. Carbon offsets can even be purchased as gifts – a great way to get people around you to think about their environmental impact.