faqs Archive - Climate Wise

IF CARBON OFFSETTING IS ONLY EVER A SMALL TOOL TO FIX A MUCH LARGER PROBLEM, WHAT SIMPLE TIPS CAN YOU OFFER PEOPLE TO REDUCE THEIR CARBON FOOTPRINT ON A DAY TO DAY BASIS? AND PLEASE MENTION IF YOU COULD ONLY CHOOSE ONE THING TO DO, WHAT IS THE ONE THING THAT, IN YOUR OPINION, OFFERS THE GREATEST IMPACT?

At Climate Wise we produce opinion pieces and blogs on the changes that we as individuals can make to our lives. Our intention is to constantly share advice and information to allow people to make informed decisions on their lifestyle choices. However, we do not want this to only come from us and therefore, we… Continue reading IF CARBON OFFSETTING IS ONLY EVER A SMALL TOOL TO FIX A MUCH LARGER PROBLEM, WHAT SIMPLE TIPS CAN YOU OFFER PEOPLE TO REDUCE THEIR CARBON FOOTPRINT ON A DAY TO DAY BASIS? AND PLEASE MENTION IF YOU COULD ONLY CHOOSE ONE THING TO DO, WHAT IS THE ONE THING THAT, IN YOUR OPINION, OFFERS THE GREATEST IMPACT?

IF I TAKE A FLIGHT, THE CARBON I EMIT STAYS IN THE ATMOSPHERE FOR HUNDREDS OF YEARS. BUT IF SOMEONE PLANTS A TREE ON MY BEHALF THERE IS NO GUARANTEE YOUR OFFSET WILL BE PERMANENT. THE TREE MIGHT DIE OR BE BURNED. HOW DO WE KNOW THAT A PROJECT IS ACTUALLY DELIVERING THE CLAIMED REDUCTION IN CARBON TONS?

Both points are valid, carbon will and can stay in the atmosphere for a long time. Also no one can guarantee the survival of trees in the future, any number of disasters both human and natural could lead to the destruction of planted trees. However, risks can be managed, and organisations will look to maintain… Continue reading IF I TAKE A FLIGHT, THE CARBON I EMIT STAYS IN THE ATMOSPHERE FOR HUNDREDS OF YEARS. BUT IF SOMEONE PLANTS A TREE ON MY BEHALF THERE IS NO GUARANTEE YOUR OFFSET WILL BE PERMANENT. THE TREE MIGHT DIE OR BE BURNED. HOW DO WE KNOW THAT A PROJECT IS ACTUALLY DELIVERING THE CLAIMED REDUCTION IN CARBON TONS?

A QUICK GOOGLE SEARCH RETURNED OVER 70 MILLION RESULTS WHEN I LOOKED FOR A CARBON OFFSET COMPANY. THE CHOICE IS OVERWHELMING. CAN YOU GIVE US THREE TIPS FOR CHOOSING A REPUTABLE COMPANY TO INVEST WITH? IS THERE A GOVERNING BODY OR SPECIFIC QUESTIONS WE SHOULD BE ASKING? I’M CONCERNED THAT I MIGHT BE GIVEN FAKE DATA ABOUT THE IMPACT MY INVESTMENT IS HAVING.

There is an overwhelming choice, although not all are focussed on supporting new projects and providing education. Lots are articles on climate change, carbon offsetting or companies highlighting how they are trying to achieve a carbon neutral footprint. At Climate-Wise we do not mind who you support as long as it has a positive impact… Continue reading A QUICK GOOGLE SEARCH RETURNED OVER 70 MILLION RESULTS WHEN I LOOKED FOR A CARBON OFFSET COMPANY. THE CHOICE IS OVERWHELMING. CAN YOU GIVE US THREE TIPS FOR CHOOSING A REPUTABLE COMPANY TO INVEST WITH? IS THERE A GOVERNING BODY OR SPECIFIC QUESTIONS WE SHOULD BE ASKING? I’M CONCERNED THAT I MIGHT BE GIVEN FAKE DATA ABOUT THE IMPACT MY INVESTMENT IS HAVING.

CLIMATE WISE TAKES PEOPLE’S DONATIONS AND PUTS THEM INTO PROJECTS WHERE THEY CAN MAKE THE BIGGEST DIFFERENCE. WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES TO ME – WOULDN’T I BE BETTER OFF JUST MAKING A DIRECT DONATION MYSELF?

Absolutely, we would encourage individuals to support projects, whether it be one of the ones we are currently supporting or some other such project. We give people the opportunity to do so with Climate Wise and we can aggregate donations, select projects and then monitor their impact so there is control and oversight which often… Continue reading CLIMATE WISE TAKES PEOPLE’S DONATIONS AND PUTS THEM INTO PROJECTS WHERE THEY CAN MAKE THE BIGGEST DIFFERENCE. WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES TO ME – WOULDN’T I BE BETTER OFF JUST MAKING A DIRECT DONATION MYSELF?

SOME PEOPLE ARE ANTI-OFFSET DUE TO ISSUES WITH TREE PLANTING SCHEMES DISPLACING PEOPLE. WHAT IS YOUR EXPERIENCE OF THIS, IS SHE RIGHT TO BE CONCERNED?

Random tree planting without proper consideration to the nature of the environment and consequences of the tree planting can and has led to issues, from lack of biodiversity in the environment to altering the existing environment, for example tree planting has detrimental effects associated with peat bog environments. As with most things there is a… Continue reading SOME PEOPLE ARE ANTI-OFFSET DUE TO ISSUES WITH TREE PLANTING SCHEMES DISPLACING PEOPLE. WHAT IS YOUR EXPERIENCE OF THIS, IS SHE RIGHT TO BE CONCERNED?

CARBON OFFSETTING HAS RECEIVED A BAD RAP IN THE PAST FOR BEING SEEN AS GREENWASHING – SOME PEOPLE FEEL IT GIVES PERMISSION FOR ‘CONSUMPTION AS USUAL’ WITHOUT THE GUILT. THAT IT GIVES US LEEWAY TO SHIFT THE BURDEN TO SOMEONE ELSE OR THAT IT IS SIMPLY THE ABILITY TO BUY A LICENSE TO COOK THE PLANET. WHAT IS YOUR RESPONSE TO THAT?

Greenwashing is a broad-brush term applied to companies as a shortcut to offsetting their footprint without trying to change their practises. Without a doubt this does happen in some cases, however, that should not stop individuals and companies from trying to offset their footprint whilst at the same time trying to introduce technology and best… Continue reading CARBON OFFSETTING HAS RECEIVED A BAD RAP IN THE PAST FOR BEING SEEN AS GREENWASHING – SOME PEOPLE FEEL IT GIVES PERMISSION FOR ‘CONSUMPTION AS USUAL’ WITHOUT THE GUILT. THAT IT GIVES US LEEWAY TO SHIFT THE BURDEN TO SOMEONE ELSE OR THAT IT IS SIMPLY THE ABILITY TO BUY A LICENSE TO COOK THE PLANET. WHAT IS YOUR RESPONSE TO THAT?

FOR PEOPLE WHO HAVE NEVER HEARD OF CARBON OFFSETTING, OR REDUCTION WHAT IS IT?

The increase of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is the biggest cause of global warming – impacting safety, health, food and global stability. We all contribute via travel, heating, driving and even eating and wearing clothes. We can change our lifestyles to reduce the impact, but it is still there. Climate Wise takes what is… Continue reading FOR PEOPLE WHO HAVE NEVER HEARD OF CARBON OFFSETTING, OR REDUCTION WHAT IS IT?

HOW DO YOU GAIN EVIDENCE OF THE IMPACT?

By working with companies that are certified, we gain evidence of the amount of tonnes offset for each of the projects we invest in. We can therefore also compute the tonnes offset for each donation amount.

ARE YOU A REGISTERED CHARITY?

Climate Wise is selecting the best way to make the most change in the shortest possible time. In the UK, we are currently a Community Interest Company (CIC) with a charity application pending. To get the ball rolling, we chose the CIC route which has enhanced reporting and can be converted into a charity. We… Continue reading ARE YOU A REGISTERED CHARITY?