A QUESTION OF BALANCE

Global warming is not just a threat anymore. It is a reality. Most global warming has been caused by the production of greenhouse gases, especially carbon dioxide (CO2). Whenever we turn on the TV, drive a car or take a flight, we add more carbon dioxide to the atmosphere. Today, we are talking to environmental campaigner Gina Freeman about carbon emissions.

Is it too late to do somethingabout carbon emissions?

No, it isn’t, and as soon as carbon emissions decrease, air pollution will decrease, too. Unless we take action now, we won’t reduce the impact of global warming.

You are particularly concerned about the increase in air travel. Why?

Air travel is a major source of carbon emissions. It is estimated that by 2020, it will be the single biggest cause of global warming. I believe that we won’t halt global warming until we stop flying.

So, what can we do?

Take holidays closer to home. If we don’t travel so far we will reduce carbon emissions, and if we travel by train, we’ll only produce 12.5 % of the emissions of a flight.

But how can I visit my grandparents in Canada?

One solution is to balance carbon emissions. For example, if you take a return London-Montreal flight, you will produce 1.46 tonnes of CO2. If you pay an organisation to reduce CO2 in the atmosphere by the same amount, you will offset your carbon emissions. There are several organisations which fund carbon offset projects.

What kind of projects?

For example, planting trees, which absorb CO2 from the atmosphere.

So, it will be OK for me to fly if I plant enough trees.

It’s better not to fly at all, but if you can’t avoid producing carbon, the next best thing is to offset it. In the future, when we fly, we’ll pay a compulsory carbon tax.

Will carbon offset projects solve the problem of global warming?

No, they won’t, but the situation won’t improve unless we all work together. And the future will look brighter when all governments agree to reduce carbon emissions.