Resetting to Zero

I recently made a purchase at Gaiam.com (like I need more yoga DVDs!) and noticed in the checkout that I had the option of offsetting the environmental impact of my order. What a great idea!

I live pretty remotely so do a lot of online shopping when I can't find what I need locally. I've often worried about the impact this has as far as the materials used for shipping, transporting the merchandise, etc. so the offer to offset my impact was answered with my resounding "YES!". The button I pushed said "goZero my Order." I love it.

Gaiam is offering this through a program called Go Zero which is part of The Conservation Fund:

"The Conservation Fund is dedicated to advancing America's land and water legacy. With our partners, we conserve land, train leaders and invest in conservation at home. From our headquarters in Arlington, Virginia and our field offices across the country, we've saved land in all 50 states—over 6 million acres of wild havens, working lands, vibrant communities and more."

The Go Zero program makes it simple and economical for individuals, corporations, or even entire communities to first measure their carbon dioxide emissions, learn helpful ways to reduce those emissions, and then offset the remainder by planting trees.

The Philadelphia Eagles worked with the fund to calculate and then "zero out" the carbon emissions associated with team travel on Delta Airlines for the 2007 and 2008 seasons. As a result, The fund has planted thousands of trees in two locations: the Eagles Forest, located at Pennsylvania’s Neshaminy State Park and Red River National Wildlife Refuge in Louisiana.

The Go Zero site also has a calculator where you can determine your estimated annual carbon dioxide footprint, which is the sum of the carbon dioxide that is produced by your home energy use, auto transportation, and air travel.

My Gaiam order (one DVD plus one "gift" for me) cost me $2 to offset it. A small price to pay, I say.