When you sign up for the Reliant EcoShareSM, a small charge will be added to your electricity bill each month. A portion of that charge will go to EarthShare Texas, and a portion will go toward purchasing carbon offsets.
A carbon offset is the verified sequestration, avoidance of or reduction in emissions of carbon dioxide or other greenhouse gases, made specifically for the purpose of compensating for an emission made elsewhere. Basically, carbon offsets are used to fund projects that work to avoid or reduce carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Carbon offsets give financing to renewable energy, forest protection projects, reforestation projects and energy innovation programs around the world that can verify how much financing is required to avoid the release or reduce specific amounts of carbon dioxide or other greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.
One carbon offset is equal to the reduction of one metric ton of carbon dioxide or carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) emissions. The carbon offsets Reliant purchases have been verified as real and measurable. Buying carbon offsets has the same effect on climate change as directly reducing the carbon emissions associated with your electricity supply, travel and other activities. Projects receiving money from carbon offsets must prove that the reduction in emissions could not have occurred without the carbon offset funding, so carbon offsets truly do result in additional greenhouse gas reductions that would not have happened if you did not take action and donate.
A carbon footprint measures the amount of CO2 emissions produced, directly or indirectly, by households, businesses or other activities. Direct emissions include those from travel and natural gas use; indirect emissions include those created by producing electricity, clothing, food and other goods and services used by the household or business. When you drive a gas-fueled car, use gas or electricity in your home or purchase items made in facilities that release carbon dioxide, you are adding to your carbon footprint.
By helping purchase carbon offsets, you are effectively helping to reduce carbon emissions overall. A portion of the money you provide through EcoShare is used to reduce emissions where such reductions would not have been possible without additional carbon offset funding.
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