Reducing the book tour's "carbon footprint"
Book tours consume a lot of energy — for air and ground travel and to heat and light speaking venues. This energy consumption generates carbon dioxide that affects the global climate. The organizers of the book tour for The Upside of Down have tried to reduce this "carbon footprint." They recognize that any such exercise encounters many ethical, technical, and methodological questions, some on which have not yet been fully solved. But they also believe that the marketing of a book like The Upside of Down — a book that emphasizes the long-term dangers of climate change and other global problems — should set an example by reducing environmental damage as much as possible.
How was a reduction in the tour's carbon footprint accomplished?
Two expert companies were asked for their help: Zerofootprint Offsets and Bullfrog Power. An external technical agency — the International Institute for Sustainable Development — reviewed all procedures and calculations.
Zerofootprint provides information, products and services to the global network of consumers and businesses that wish to reduce their environmental footprint. www.zerofootprint.net
Zerofootprint Offsets calculated greenhouse gas emissions from air and ground travel in North America, determined the amount of renewable energy needed to offset the emissions, arranged for that amount of wind energy to be added to the power grid, and generously donated the costs of the offsets and of the time needed to run the calculations.
For a detailed report on Zerofootprint's calculations and offsets, click here.
(5 pages: 95Kb)
The first and only 100 percent green electricity retailer in Ontario. www.bullfrogpower.com
Bullfrog Power calculated the electricity used at all tour venues in North America, arranged for Ecologo certified power to be injected into the electricity grid; and generously donated their time and cost of green power offsets.
For a summary of Bullfrog's calculations and offsets, click here. (1 page: 130Kb)
Championing innovation that enables societies to
live sustainably. www.iisd.org
Technical experts at IISD reviewed all methodology, calculations, and plans for offset purchases.
For a summary of their comments and conclusions, click here. (1 page: 111Kb)
Additional Resources
We have compiled a list of useful links including general information, calculating tools, and the why's and wherefore's of reducing your carbon footprint.
Read the Additional Resources >.
< Return to the Book Tour
Book tours consume a lot of energy — for air and ground travel and to heat and light speaking venues. This energy consumption generates carbon dioxide that affects the global climate. The organizers of the book tour for The Upside of Down have tried to reduce this "carbon footprint." They recognize that any such exercise encounters many ethical, technical, and methodological questions, some on which have not yet been fully solved. But they also believe that the marketing of a book like The Upside of Down — a book that emphasizes the long-term dangers of climate change and other global problems — should set an example by reducing environmental damage as much as possible.
How was a reduction in the tour's carbon footprint accomplished?
Two expert companies were asked for their help: Zerofootprint Offsets and Bullfrog Power. An external technical agency — the International Institute for Sustainable Development — reviewed all procedures and calculations.
Zerofootprint provides information, products and services to the global network of consumers and businesses that wish to reduce their environmental footprint. www.zerofootprint.net
Zerofootprint Offsets calculated greenhouse gas emissions from air and ground travel in North America, determined the amount of renewable energy needed to offset the emissions, arranged for that amount of wind energy to be added to the power grid, and generously donated the costs of the offsets and of the time needed to run the calculations.
For a detailed report on Zerofootprint's calculations and offsets, click here.
(5 pages: 95Kb)The first and only 100 percent green electricity retailer in Ontario. www.bullfrogpower.com
Bullfrog Power calculated the electricity used at all tour venues in North America, arranged for Ecologo certified power to be injected into the electricity grid; and generously donated their time and cost of green power offsets.
For a summary of Bullfrog's calculations and offsets, click here.
(1 page: 130Kb)Championing innovation that enables societies to
live sustainably. www.iisd.org
Technical experts at IISD reviewed all methodology, calculations, and plans for offset purchases.
For a summary of their comments and conclusions, click here.
(1 page: 111Kb)Additional Resources
We have compiled a list of useful links including general information, calculating tools, and the why's and wherefore's of reducing your carbon footprint.
Read the Additional Resources >.
< Return to the Book Tour
