SBC Event Offsets

Sierra Nevada Carbon Cooperative Projects follow and exceed the California Climate Action Registry Forest Project Standards:

• real measurable emission reductions, 
• activities above and beyond "business as usual",  
• native and natural forests, 
• permanent conservation of the forest, 
• social, economic, and environmental co-benefits
• avoidance of activity-shifting leakage
• permanent storage of carbon through a pooled buffer of forest property for insurance against fire, pest and pathogen outbreaks, or other catastrophic loss
• support for long-term stewardship and restoration of Sierra forests

Where we chose to live and play makes a difference when measuring our carbon footprint.  Several well-known natural features and recreational activities in the Sierra Nevada account for more than 50 million visitor days per year.  The travel miles from these visits add up in terms of carbon emissions!

To get a sense of your carbon emissions from travelling in the Sierra, check out these common scenarios:

How did you calculate this?

*Emissions from automobile travel are based on an average fuel efficiency car getting 21 miles per gallon. We use the Energy Information Administration’s estimate of 19.564 pounds CO₂ emissions emitted per gallon of motor gasoline burned, and a price of $20/ton to purchase a value-added forestry carbon offset.

**Emissions from the conference were calculated using Terrapass’s online carbon calculator, under the following model scenario:  100 attendees travel to the event, 60 of whom drive for an average of 100 miles one way.  Twenty attendees fly on a short length flight, 10 on a medium length flight, and 10 on a long length flight.  Source:  http://www.terrapass.com/event-carbon-calculator

Although climate change is a global challenge, offsetting locally can help sustain a healthy environment and support a green economy right in your backyard. Help us protect and restore Sierra forests!*

For CAR offset options, please click on the "Think Local Carbon"tab