Its Symbol is "C"; its atomic number is "6" and its name is "CARBON"

As most high school students know, the element of carbon plays a dominant role in the chemistry of life.  It is in our food, our clothing and the fuels we burn. Molecules of carbon are found in almost everything. For example, vegetation that dies and is interred in the earth eventually becomes compressed.  Over time it becomes coal, or if it reaches its kindling temperature without oxygen, it becomes charcoal. Or, when swamp vegetation goes through a similar compression process, it becomes peat. And, all are referred to as fossil fuels that man burns for the production of energy.  When carbon is black it is called graphite. When, after thousands of years under extreme pressure within the earth it turns colorless and becomes diamonds. Carbon is also found in petroleum and the various fuels we derive from it such as gasoline.

These same high school students are also well familiar with the first law of nature; namely: "self-preservation".

What then is the connection between an element and a law of nature with the relatively new expression: "Carbon- neutral"?  What does it mean?

First of all, we have to recognize credibility of the many articles written about: "Global Warming", "Greenhouse Gases","Industrial Pollution" and "Emissions". We are also being made aware of the dying of world forests and the retardation of glaciers.  Unfortunately, most of us do not personally experience these serious events that are gradually impacting the very environment in which we need to exist.  It is not unimaginable that a global catastrophe could result.

Is there anything we can do?  Must we simply watch and wait for disaster? Can something be done?

Because of its closeness to world environment, the Tourism industry has been one of the pioneers to first sound the alarm. It has coined the term, "Carbon-neutral".

Carbon-neutral is simply a term for "trade-off". That is, we can measure the “bad” carbon emissions for our production of energy that are negatively affecting the planet.  We can also measure the non-polluting energy provided by wind and solar power. The result is the creation of credits or funds to be provided for creating non-carbon emitting sources of energy.  This is not only a motivation but also a course of action to STOP the serious, negative effect carbon emissions are having on our environment. 

Colorado-based Natural Habitat Adventures has initiated a 100% carbon-neutral travel experience for its 2007 tours.  Clients are asked to purchase credits to offset the amount of greenhouse gases created by their round trip air transportation. These funds or credits are then provided for the installation of eco-friendly projects, such as wind and solar energy production.

Click here to read my article, "Polar Bear Express".  A traveler making the same trip would contribute $5.28 in "credit" that is matched by Natural Habitat Adventures.  While $10.56 may seem like a relatively small amount, consider it being multiplied by the thousands of travelers during the year.  Then multiply that by the tens of millions of travelers on the hundreds of millions of air miles flown each year for tourism alone.  This is an example of "carbon-neutrality".

The carbon-offset program can be found on the Natural Habitat web site (www.nathab.com).   In 4 easy steps of recording the tour name, starting airport, percentage of carbon-offset and the number of travelers, one can easily calculate the dollar amount to pay for the offsetting.

The wide-ranging alternative energy projects around the world vary from wind and solar farms to reforestation projects.  The message is simple:  ALL of us can help save our planet, one trip at a time.  After all, it IS "self-preservation".