Offsetting Carbon Emissions

What are carbon emissions?
Greenhouse gases (GHG), like carbon dioxide (CO2), are emitted when fossil fuels are consumed. We all emit CO2 emissions when we drive a car, fly in a plane, use electricity, or generate waste. You can help reduce these emissions by using less energy, traveling less, or using public transport, but some emissions are unavoidable.

What impact do carbon emissions have?
Gases emitted as a result of human activities as well as certain naturally occurring gases are released into the atmosphere, including water vapor, carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, and methane. These gases become trapped on the ground, and because they stay below the earth's atmosphere, they warm the Earth, causing disastrous effects on its natural ecosystem. This rise in temperature that the Earth experiences is called the greenhouse effect.

What are carbon offsets?
Carbon Offsets make it possible for individuals and businesses to reduce the carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions they are responsible for, such as product manufacturing and transportation, by reducing or displacing the CO2 in another place, such as reducing the use of fossil fuels used for power. For example, paying for Carbon Offsets can fund projects that include the creation of new renewable energy sources like wind and solar power, increasing energy efficiency, and reforestation. Carbon offsets are not an excuse to emit more carbon, but are a way for us to reduce the impact we have on Earth.

What is Mountain Travel Sobek doing?
Mountain Travel Sobek is paying to offset the carbon emissions that result from the day to day operations at our office. We are working with Sustainable Travel International (STI), a non-profit organization and global leader in sustainable tourism development, to contribute to a combination of national and international offset programs. The international efforts include renewable energy and energy efficiency projects in developing countries that also double as sustainable community development projects. All are inspected, verified, and certified by independent third parties accepted by the United Nations, such as The Gold Standard. National efforts include the development of renewable energy projects across North America, all of which are from 100 percent new, renewable resources. These are certified by Green-e, the leading independent United States voluntary certification for renewable energy certificates, and called Green Tags.

Carbon offset quality can vary greatly, and it is important for businesses and consumers to consider the differences between them. We chose to partner with STI because they protect the integrity of retail and wholesale offset transactions in several ways through their strategic partners. They ensure the projects they fund would not be viable without support from the carbon offset market. Projects are only accepted if they do not cause any harm to the local environment, society, or economy. All of the projects in STI's portfolio are verified and/or certified by independent third-party organizations. The ongoing performance of each project is monitored by our partners as well as by the independent certification bodies at least once a year throughout each project's entire life cycle.

What can I do?
We encourage you to consider offsetting the emissions generated by your flights (carbon dioxide emissions from air travel are estimated to be about 2% of the global total). It?s a great way to help make your own trip climate friendly and contribute to the reduction of climate-altering activities.

Just click on our carbon calculator, enter the number of travelers and your departure and arrival airports, and it will calculate your carbon emissions and the cost to offset them. And you?ll be surprised how easy it is and how little it costs!

Your purchase of carbon offsets will have a direct impact on the following:

• Diversify our power supply
• Reduce dependency on imported fuels
• Increase demand for energy efficient products
• Protect human health through decreased air and water pollution
• Increase the use of renewable energy on our world's power grids
• Create new jobs
• Protect habitat and wildlife
• Ensure a secure, affordable energy future
• Protect biodiversity

Upon request, our partner STI will gladly send you an acknowledgement of your contribution, up to 20 percent of which may be tax deductible to the full extent allowed under the law if you if you are a U.S. citizen. Please consult with your own tax advisor if you have further questions about the tax deductibility of your contribution.

Calculate your carbon emissions here: www.mtsobek.com/carbonoffset/carbon-calculator