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© Lora Denis
Youth Summit, Canoeing © Daynan Lepore
This blog was submitted by the Quinte Field Naturalists (QFN) who are a member of our Nature Network. Our Nature Network consists of more than 150 local conservation groups who help us bring local issues across Ontario to the attention of the province.
It takes energy to hold QFN meetings – about a third of a tonne of carbon emissions per year (7 meetings x 3.5 hours each, in a 3,200 square foot space)! Since we can’t reduce or eliminate our energy use, we sought a way to reduce our carbon footprint. To compensate for the amount of carbon our meetings are responsible for spewing into the atmosphere, QFN has decided to buy carbon offsets through Less Emissions Inc.
Less Emissions Inc. is a company that provides trustworthy methods of addressing carbon emissions with high quality offsets. When you purchase carbon offsets through Less Emissions Inc. your money will support worldwide projects that reduce global GHG emissions. These projects are not highly profitable businesses so without this kind of alternative funding, they would not exist.
Every project supported by Less Emissions Inc. has undergone rigorous evaluations to ensure they achieve verifiable GHG emissions reductions. For example, one of these “gold standard-certified” projects is a chlorine dispenser program that provides safe drinking water to people in rural Uganda. Using chlorine tablets to purify their water instead of boiling it over a wood fire reduces greenhouse gas emissions and helps prevent deforestation.
The David Suzuki Foundation has ranked Less Emissions Inc. as the highest quality offset provider in Canada and it is also endorsed by leading environmental groups like World Wildlife Fund. By offsetting the carbon emissions generated by QFN meetings, we joined other reputable companies and organizations who are making responsible green decisions, like the JUNO Awards.
Flying to warmer climes this winter? You can personally reduce your carbon footprint through Less Emissions by choosing to offset your air travel. It’s not expensive. Offsetting a round trip flight from Toronto to Orlando would only cost about $16 to $21 per person. By purchasing offsets, you’ll lessen your environmental footprint, support innovative emissions reductions projects and help combat climate change.
The cost of offsetting the carbon emissions from QFN meetings comes to a whopping $8.48 annually (however we have contributed $20). We want to take responsibility for the impact of our actions. It is a small expense that makes a big statement!