“Carbon Credits.”

“Cap & Trade.”

“Carbon Footprint.”

“Greenhouse Gas.”

Confused?

Don’t be!  There are a lot of buzzwords flying around lately when it comes to the science and business of Climate Change.

In our process of becoming one of the first carbon-neutral ad agencies in North America (And certainly the first carbon-neutral agency in Arizona), I asked our consultant, Brendan Cook, Sustainability Director at EcoAid, to help clear the air on carbon offsetting.

Brendan Cook, Sustainability Director at EcoAid

To determine your “carbon footprint” means to measure the amount of greenhouse gases that you or your organization is adding to the atmosphere.  The term was coined from carbon dioxide, the primary human contributor to climate change.  CO2 is a greenhouse gas, which means it traps solar heat in our atmosphere ‘changing’ our climate’s typical patterns.

Whenever you use energy created from fossil fuels, you’re generating carbon emissions.  To offset your carbon emissions, or become carbon-neutral, simply means to neutralize your part in the polluting of our environment.

Since carbon dioxide emissions are the principal human cause of climate change, carbon offsets are the key to promoting a greener environment.  A carbon offset represents the carbon dioxide emissions accounted for in a certified project.

Like EcoAid, Park&Co’s goal is to show that environmental activism is smart, proactive and part of a good business model. That’s why they are actively offsetting their office and travel emissions by supporting the Michigan Reforestation Project to compensate for their part in climate change and promote business responsibility.

To determine your own carbon footprint and how you can shrink it, visit EcoAid’s Carbon Calculator at www.ecoaidnow.com.

Brendan leads EcoAid’s Sustainability team, working with businesses and organizations to improve their environmental performance, carbon reduction, efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
He has worked with sustainability issues ranging from renewable biogas in Vietnam, ecosystem assessments in Greece, sustainable business in Scandinavia, ecotourism in Sweden, interned with the Stockholm Environment Institute on renewable energy projects, and worked in rainwater harvesting in Tucson.

Click on Mr. Praying Mantis to download my green marketing presentation from SlideShare

Are you trying to get the attention of the Millennial generation (ages 13 – 29)? If so, did you know that 76% of this powerful market feels that it’s important or very important for brands to get involved in the green movement, according to a recent study by Generate Insight? What about other consumer segments, like the LOHAS, Naturalites and Drifters? What are their sensibilities and tendencies toward greening their lifestyles and the companies and products that help them do it?

I just uploaded my iG.R.E.E.N. webinar presentation to SlideShare. You can download it to learn how to reduce your carbon & hype footprints for a greater engagement with these growing conusmer segments.

You can start by signing up for Earth Hour to Earth Day Challenge on Twitter for your daily tip.

For each of the 26 days, take five minutes to do one of the following:

1. Turn off ALL lights on Friday when you leave for Saturday’s Earth Hour.
2. On Sunday, make five minutes to take your lunch to work.
3. On Monday, change out one old fashion light bulb to a compact flourescent lighting (CFL) and encourage your staff to do the same.
4. Take five to learn how to control heating and cooling costs.
5. Calculate your monthly commute cost.
6. Promote carpooling through easy online sources like erideShare.com., and with companies in your area like RideShare.com.
   
7. Give up your car and telecommute one day a week during the EH2ED Challenge and see how it goes.
8. If you have to drive, learn how to increase your gas mileage, whether you own a hybrid or not.
9. Tricks and tips for biking to work. This site is pretty good, too. Or the book.
10. Purchasing always loves to hear from you. So forward this site and encourage them to buy greener office products.
11. Opt out of receiving wasteful yellow and white pages printed phone directories.
12. Take five minutes to learn about zero-waste offices. Actually becoming one usually takes a little longer.
13. Pick-up a desk-side recycling bin.
14. Paper comprises up to 40% of the municipal waste stream, so take a minute to learn how you can start a paper recycling program.
15. Give your dead mouse a proper burial. Reduce, reuse and/or recycle old computers and other electronics.
16. Take a second to learn how to recycle printer cartridges.
17. Every company needs to print something, sometime. So start by making a list of green printing companies in your area and then use one.
18. Take five minutes to learn how carbon offsetting works so that you can apply it in your office.
19. Whew, take a five minute break and play “Tip Tank” water conservation concentration game.
20. Locate a green web hosting company to host your Earth-friendly site.
21. Use your blog or website to offset 350 pounds of carbon by placing the Brighter Planet badge on your site.
22. Make your website carbon neutral with a click of your mouse (and a small monthly fee).
23. Wake up five minutes earlier every morning and put that time to use for a green project or thought.
24. Sign up for CoolPeopleCare.org’s daily email on easy things you can do to help the planet five minutes at a time.
25. Donate/recycle your office furniture and computers to Goodwill.
26. Go green with your gifts to employees, colleagues, clients and vendors?

What are you going to do at the office to make a difference for the Earth Hour to Earth Day Challenge? Please let me know by commenting below and/or sending me and your followers an email or tweet.

CoolPeopleCare.org demonstrates easy ways you can save the world in five minutes or less.

BestGreenBlogs.com is the web’s largest directory of green and sustainable themed weblogs.

Ecopreneurist.com is part of Green Options Media, a network of environmentally-focused blogs covering a broad spectrum of information for making sustainable choices.

LazyEnvironmentalist.com offers easy, stylish and super convenient ways to green your lifestyle

RealClimate.org is a commentary site on climate science by working climate scientists for the interested public and journalists.

TreeHugger.com Owned by Discovery, this site is a media outlet dedicated to driving sustainability mainstream.

Grist.org where news about green issues and sustainable living isn’t predictable, demoralizing, or dull.

GreenLivingIdeas.com provides ideas, tips, and information to help you improve the environmental sustainability of every aspect of your life: home energy, green building and remodeling, cars, food, waste recycling—and everything in between.

DoTheGreenThing.com is a not-for-profit public service that inspires people to lead a greener life, with the help of brilliant videos and inspiring stories etc. from creative people and community members around the world.

EcoGeek.org publishes up to ten stories daily about innovations that are saving the planet.

Celsias.com offers tools to help people combat climate change, and bring the green community, companies and organisations closer together.

TheNaturalStep.org is a non profit organization founded with the vision of creating a sustainable society.

TinyChoices.com is a colorful blog about all things green.

Conservation.org has a mission to conserve the Earth’s living heritage – our global biodiversity – and to demonstrate that human societies are able to live harmoniously with nature.

ExperienceBiOH.com Brought to you by the BiOH polyols business — a maker of soy-based ingredients for foam, The BiOH experience offers resources for you to learn and participate in helping communities and the environment.

TwilightEarth.com is dedicated to saving the the environment through schared news, deiscuss, advocacy and activism.

MoreEco.com offers a single entry point to some of the finest green online retailers whilst rewarding you for your ethical shopping habits and helping to reduce your carbon footprint.

EcoTrendSpotter.com provides readers and shoppers with the latest eco, organic, green products.

RecycleFund.com A site dedicated to easy and earth-friendly fundraising for your organization by recycling empty printer cartridges and cell phones.

HyperLocavore.ning.com Join hyperlocavore to find or start a yardshare in your town. CSAs and community gardens fill up fast. Food is expensive! Grow together!

Inhabit.com is a weblog devoted to the future of design, tracking the innovations in technology, practices and materials that are pushing architecture and home design towards a smarter and more sustainable future.

Green.com is a unique online world where people can safely gather, learn, and interact with each other.

Please feel free to share this poll with everyone you know to drive votes for your favorite green website.

You can start by signing up for Earth Hour to Earth Day Challenge on Twitter for your daily tip. And be sure to send a tweet or email each day letting your friends, family and followers know how you’re greening your lifestyle.

For each of the 26 days, take five minutes to do one of the following:

1. Follow Water – Use It Wisely on Twitter to receive your daily water-saving tip.
2. Change out three old fashion light bulbs in your home or office to compact flourescent lighting (CFL).
3. Give up your car and don’t drive it (or anyone else’s) for one full day.
4. Pick-up three re-usable shopping bags from your grocer and keep them handy in your car, and of course, use them instead of paper or plastic.
5. Take five minutes to properly set your thermostat with this easy guide from EnergyStar.
6. Learn how to increase your gas mileage, whether you own a hybrid or not.
7. Learn how to start a community garden for your neighborhood. You may end up growing more friendships than produce.
8. Take five minutes to play “Tip Tank” water conservation concentration game. Great for the entire family.
9. Wrap your water heater. Once you pick-up the insulating blanket, it doesn’t even take five minutes to install it. You’ll save energy and money.
10. Make five minutes to take your lunch to work.
11. Make sure your irrigation timer is set appropriately for spring and summer.
12. Wake up five minutes earlier every morning and put that time to use for a green project or thought.
13. Sign up for CoolPeopleCare.org’s daily email on easy things you can do to help the planet five minutes at a time.
14. Take Kohler’s 3-minute toilet quiz, and learn how you can get a FREE high-efficiency commode while raising funds for Habitat for Humanity.
15. Use your blog or website to offset 350 pounds of carbon by placing the Brighter Planet badge on your site.
16. Opt out of receiving wasteful yellow and white pages printed phone directories.
17. Donate/recycle your clothes and household items to Goodwill, and don’t forget to take five minutes to find a treasure in their stores.
18. Download this directory of 100+ websites all about green living for easy access, sharing and use in your daily life.
19. Take five minutes to learn how carbon offsetting works so that you can apply it in your personal life and promote it through your professional one.
20. Learn how NOT to be an energy sucking appliance vampire with this incredibly inventive 54-second video from DoTheGreenThing.com


Plug Out Boy feat. Green Monday from Green Thing on Vimeo.

21. Download the new iPhone app, GreenMeter, which helps you calculate your car’s carbon footprint relative to your commute and driving habits.
22. Learn the easiest, most convenient places to safely recylce hazardous materials in your neighborhood and commit to getting rid of the paint, insecticides and other harmful chemicals in your garage this weekend.
23. Quickly learn how to compost and re-use organic waste instead of filling up your garbage and our landfills.
24. Shorten your showers to five minutes or less and you’ll save thousands of gallons every month. Download 100+ other water-saving tips for easy reference.
25. Learn the 12 things you can do to reduce particulate pollution.
26. Throw an eco-friendly Earth Day party!

What are you going to do to make a difference for the Earth Hour to Earth Day Challenge? Please let me know by commenting below and/or sending me and your followers an email or tweet.

I first learned and wrote about the campaign when it launched in December. They’re doing a tremendous job of balancing humor, sarcasm, wit, and reality to expose the burning of coal for what it really is: Not Clean!

Friends and co-founders, Sam Davidson and Stephen Moseley, created the site to educate on and demonstrate the myriad of little, easy things we can all do to make a big overall difference. And they’ve orchestrated an equally impressive set of green communication tactics to engage the masses.

Here are just seven that caught my eye:

1. Daily email tips on what you can do in five minutes
2. Robust website that offers events and activities specific to your city (9th Annual Strong Beer Festival in Phoenix) with an area to post your own events
3. A new book, “New Day Revolution, How to Save the World in 24 Hours” with more than 100 quick read tips
4. Links to other great green messaging causes like “A Pledge for a Song,” where you can download a free tune from Missy Higgins when you pledge to reduce your carbon usage by just two percent. See below for the 10 easy ways to do just that.
5. A library of searchable articles
6. Facebook and other social media venues
7. And of course, YouTube

Sam and Stephen have done an excellent job of making their easy environmental tips as accessible to the public as possible. I leaned about them in a Homestyles magazine (my wife’s an interior designer), so their P.R. machine isn’t bad either. I hope they’re on the front end of a trend to make green marketing and messaging, and the environmental lifestyle tips at its core, as easy, accessible and digestible as possible for the mainstream.

Hey, they got my attention with beer and music.

Ten Quick and Easy Ways to decrease your Carbon Output this year:

1. Drive smarter – keep your tires properly inflated, go the speed limit, drive less and walk more!
2. Buy local and organic – the average American meal travels 1,500 miles from the farm to the plate. Be more conscious of where your food comes from and you can pollute less at dinner time.
3. Call your electric company and switch over to green power! Most utility companies offer renewable energy options for just a few dollars more a month.
4. Replace incandescent light bulbs w/compact fluorescent bulbs. Compact fluorescents produce the same amount of light as normal bulbs, but use about a quarter of the electricity and last ten times as long!
5. Save energy at home! Caulk and weather strip doorways and windows. Keep your thermostat a few degrees higher in the Summer, and a few degrees lower in the Winter. It makes a big difference!
6. Get shower smart. Install low-flow showerheads and faucets and turn your hot water heater down to 120 degrees F to see hot water costs go down by as much as 50%!
7. Replace electronics and appliances with energy efficient models. Look for the Energy Star label when purchasing.
8. Plant a tree! Planting shade tress around your house will absorb CO2 and slash your Summer air-conditioning bills.
9. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle! Recycling paper, glass and metal saves 70-90% of the energy used to produce new materials while keeping more waste out of landfills. Buy purchasing used clothes and furniture you save the environment from the effects of all of the energy that would have been used to create those same products if they were brand new!
10. Mount a local campaign against global warming and participate at the national, state and local level. Click here for details.

Do you have a tip to add to the list? If so, comment below and feel free to Tweet away!

The idea of the project was to see what we can all do as individuals to curb greenhouse gas emissions and curb global warming. Rowlatt and his wife say that it was an astonishingly small amount of carbon, about two tons, for the sacrifices made. “Ethical men and women acting alone will not be enough to stop climate change.”

The BBC has given Ethical Man an even greater challenge: To travel across America and save the entire world from global warming.

“I’m going on a 6,500 mile trip around the nation that brought the world the motor car, the aeroplane, the suburb, the drive-thru hamburger joint and the hot tub, in search of solutions to the biggest problem on earth.

Each American is responsible for 20 tons of carbon dioxide emissions, more than twice that of the average European. But America is also the most innovative and powerful nation on earth and, what’s more, has a president who says he is serious about tackling global warming.

The idea is simple. If we can solve global warming here, we can solve it anywhere.”

- The BBC’s Ethical Man

Here’s Where You Come In

Hey Ethical Man, if you’re coming to Phoenix, AZ we’d love to talk about our work in sustainability and water conservation.  Plus, we’d love to introduce you to a couple of our friends, including Russ, the hydroponic gardener and Donal, the green mobile messaging inventor.

Ethical Man is looking for people across America to talk about solutions to global warming. If you have an idea or want to refer Ethical Man to someone you know who is making a difference, contact him on Facebook and Twitter. He’s starting his adventure in Muskegon, Michigan, of all places, and will be circling the nation looking for anybody who is or has ideas on how to reduce greenhouse gasses and curb global warming.

New York Ad Agency Brooklyn Brothers claims to have just produced the first carbon neutral TV commercials.  But do they add up?

According to agency co-founder, Guy Barnett, the agency worked with UK resource management company ERM to calculate and offset the carbon produced for a TV campaign created for Versus TV Channel.

Here’s the math:

1. 15 TV commercials
2. Shot on location in Texas
3. 80 crew members
4. 40 vehicles
5. 10 flights
6. Extensive shoot production facilities
7. Hundreds of hours in post production editing

= 8.9 tons of carbon produced

Cost to offset? Just $20 per ton = $180

This sounds all very impressive until you get to the $180 part.  Can anyone tell me how the $180 offsets nearly 9 tons of carbon?  This seems like such a minimal cost for so much pollution. So I dug deeper.  ClimateCare.org is the organization that helped Brooklyn Brothers make their spots carbon neutral. Here’s a quick explanation of how it works.

So now all of us in the green advertising business need to consider how we can easily offset our creative carbon footprint. We probably don’t even have to do the calculation. Just budget an extra $200 into every production budget and get with organizations like ClimateCare.org to help us clean up our mess.

Have you ever consider the carbon footprint of your TV or photo shoot? If so, how’d you go about offsetting it?

According to an article in Times Online, a typical search generates about 7g of CO2, while boiling a kettle generates about 15g. The reason: “Google operates huge data centers around the world that consume a great deal of power,” according to Alex Wissner-Gross, a Harvard University physicist. His report on the environmental impact of computing is due out soon.

Pictured above is Google’s Earth Day logo. Read Google’s response to the claim.

Learn more on how you can reduce the carbon footprint of the web.

What do you do to reduce your use of computer time, and hopefully your virtual carbon footprint?