Carbon Offsets and Carbon Neutrality with Ocean Arks International

We believe it is important for each of us to be aware of how much our lifestyles and activities contribute to atmospheric pollution and global climate change. Once we know the extent to which we contribute carbon dioxide to the atmosphere (measured in tons per year) it makes the job of reducing our negative impact on the Earth much easier. For some of us it is very difficult to reduce our impact. Some of us fly on business and others have long commutes. For many it is very difficult for a variety of reasons to live closer to our work. Others are more fortunate, live closer to work and are able to use public transportation or ride a bike to their place of employment.

Whether you live low or high impact lives, it is important to think about becoming carbon neutral. When you are carbon, or CO2, neutral you are supporting activities that reduce CO2 in the atmosphere. There are a number of options now available to the public, such as underwriting renewable energy through an arrangement with your local utility or energy supplier. At Ocean Arks we have made the decision that the best way for us to become carbon neutral is to plant trees in parts of the world that have been deforested and where reforestation will lead to improved soils and strengthen local economies. Trees are the real experts when it comes to taking carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere and sequestering it. Through photosynthesis CO2 is taken up directly by the trees and through their soil building CO2 is stored in the ground. We chose Costa Rica for this program because the year round growing season allows for high rates of carbon dioxide removal and because it is a country dedicated to conservation, peace and to universal education and health care. In many ways Costa Rica is a model for how all societies could be organized. Ocean Arks has a long association with Costa Rica.

WHY CHOOSE THE OCEAN ARKS PLAN?

We realize that there are many Carbon Neutral plans out there. By all means check them out. We think ours is one of the best because you will actually see, via the OAI website, the trees you have paid for while they are growing. And in the future there will be opportunities for you visit the new forests of Guanacaste Province and meet the people who care for the trees.

Step 1: Determining How Much Atmospheric CO2 You Cause Each Year

On the Ocean Arks Website look for the Carbon Offset/Carbon Neutral Program. We provide a method that allows you to calculate your carbon footprint and how much it will cost you on an annual basis to become carbon neutral. The Carbon Calculator was created to allow the average consumer to understand the factors that play into their carbon emissions, as well as how the prices are calculated.  Sources for all of the data are provided, as well as justification for all of the calculations.  Short descriptions support each subject to describe why the information they are providing is important. 

Equation cells are locked so Ocean Arks members cannot alter the data and skew the results.  The results appears as tons of atmospheric carbon per year.

COSTS

Costs in various programs vary widely from a few dollars per ton to over twenty dollars per ton depending on the organization. Based on our actual costs we have determined that it costs us approximately $20 to sequester a ton of carbon. Of this 10% is used for administration and the rest is for land, biological materials and paying our Costa Rican land stewards a fair wage. If you cause 10 tons a year of atmospheric carbon, it will cost you $200 a year to become carbon neutral with the OAI plan. It is our hope that, as the scale of our work grows, costs will begin to come down.

You can pay for the program on the website, using Pay Pal. We can take most credit cards and we will acknowledge receipt of your payment.  You can also pay by check. It can be a tax-deductible contribution.

 PLEASE JOIN US!