Humanist Guide to Understanding Carbon - Humanist Environmental Response Effort

Its toxicity and how to offset it

Carbon Dioxide is a potent greenhouse gas. Greenhouse gases are gases that when released into the atmosphere, trap heat. The Greenhouse Effect is why we can inhabit the Earth, without it Earth’s surface would be well below freezing. Why are greenhouse gases bad then? Greenhouse gases are good to an extent, but up until about 150 years ago, the majority of the greenhouse gases in the atmosphere were naturally occurring. Humans are putting a massive amount of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere at an unprecedented rate. Therefore, more heat from the sun is being trapped in our atmosphere and changing our climate. If you want to learn more about greenhouse gases and the Greenhouse Effect check out this website.

Carbon Dioxide (CO₂) is the main greenhouse gas released into the atmosphere by human activities. In 2018, it made up 81% of total greenhouse gases released. The main contributor of CO₂ into the atmosphere is through the combustion of fossil fuels. This is because when plant matter dies, it stores carbon, and when it is burned, it releases it. Since the carbon is millions of years old, it is much more potent. Therefore, when the carbon enters the atmosphere it can trap more heat. Driving your car, flicking on your light switch, and the production of your watch all likely rely on the combustion of fossil fuels.

A carbon footprint is a measure of the amount of CO₂ produced by an individual, which gives an indication of the impact the person is having on climate change. There’s a “carbon cost” to almost everything that we do, the challenge is to figure out which activities can be reduced or removed from our lives! Often, a high carbon footprint will go hand in hand with high resource consumption–reducing one can help you reduce the other.

The average American household has a carbon footprint of 48 metric tonnes of CO₂ per year, which takes more than 55 acres of U.S. forests to absorb in one year! You can calculate your carbon footprint using this footprint calculator to get an idea of how much CO₂ your lifestyle consumes.

Why Should I Offset Carbon?

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change is a group of scientists, brought together by the United Nations, to assess global climate change. They deem it necessary that we cut our carbon emissions in half by 2050, if we are to limit the average global rise in temperature to 1.5°C (~2.7°F). This amount of warming will already have great effects on the environment, but they will be even more drastic if warming reaches above this level. If you want to learn more, you can check out our Reading Guide to the IPCC Climate Report here.

Industries and corporations are the largest contributors to greenhouse gas emissions. So why should you take individual action? Will it even make a difference? These are valids thoughts, but there are ways that you can take action that are still valuable. As humanists, we have a personal responsibility to face climate change and how we contribute to it, and then take steps to reduce our emissions. One of those ways is to purchase Carbon Offsets. Read our toolkit on Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Refuse to learn more about how you can divest your money from major corporations doing our planet dirty.

How Do I Start?

Since carbon dioxide is naturally occurring, the planet has already come up with ways to sequester carbon. Of course, not at the amounts we need in order to completely offset our immense amount of emissions. If you are financially able, purchasing carbon offsets is one of the most simple steps you can take to counterbalance greenhouse gases.

Purchase Carbon Offsets:
- You can find out where to purchase carbon offsets here.
- Often when you buy a flight, airlines will ask if you want to purchase carbon offsets to counteract the emissions produced on the flight. If you are able to, do it.
Commit to offsetting yourself:
- If you can, opt to bike or walk instead of drive. In the same manner, opt to drive instead of fly.
- Plan a day where you plant trees in your neighborhood. Learn how to plan a green event here.
- Divest from major corporations. Put your money towards local businesses for a better environment and to support your neighbors.

Share Your Story

One of the most important things you can do to fight climate change is also one of the simplest: talk about it! Research shows that discussing the climate crisis with family and friends reinforces that the problem is real and the science unequivocal. Yet, nearly two-thirds of Americans say they rarely or never have those conversations. Share with your friends, family, and other community members about Greenhouse Gases and the great benefits of offsetting our pollution!

Let us know how you plan to make more sustainable life choices. Tell us what changes you will be making in the name of sustainability. Use the power of social media and personal conversation to share your progress and get others involved!

Sample Social Media Posts:

“I just pledged to purchase carbon offsets with my plane tickets. I learned about the toxicity of greenhouse gases with the #HEREforClimate Carbon Offsets Toolkit! Check it out and learn how you can make more sustainable choices! [URL Link]”
“We all have a personal responsibility to combat the global climate crisis and live more sustainably. Learn how you can take a personal action with the #HEREforClimate Carbon Offsets Toolkit!”
“The #HEREforClimate Carbon Offsets Toolkit made it easy to start making more sustainable choices in my daily life. I just pledged to reduce my carbon emissions by walking to work everyday. Find out what else you can do with the #HEREforClimate toolkit!”

Why Should I Offset Carbon?

How Do I Start?

Share Your Story

Additional Resources