So what the hell does zero carbon mean?
How i am to get to zero if I am still breathing out carbon dioxide? does that mean I need to offset my breath? I guess the only time I will be truly be zero (maybe even positive) is when I am dead and I am recontributing to the earth through mulch.
So here are some people who are working in the same sort of area that zero martyn is.
The Compact decided in 2006 in San Fransisco that they would not buy anything – not a thing for a whole year (i think maybe food was allowed) – here are the rules;
First principle – don’t buy new products of any kind Second principle – borrow or buy used. A few exceptions – using the “fair and reasonable person” standard — i.e., you’ll know in your heart when you’re rationalizing a violation:
- food, drink, and necessary medicine (no elective treatments like Viagra or Botox)
- necessary cleaning products, but not equipment (don’t go out and buy the Dyson Animal, for example).
- socks and underwear (utilitarian–non-couture or ornamental)
- pajamas for the children
Utilitarian services (plumbers, electricians, auto mechanics, veterinarians, dog/house-sitters, fire/paramedics, dry cleaners, house cleaners, etc.) — Support local and encourage used parts (rebuilt transmission, salvaged headlight unit, etc.) Recreational services (massage, etc.) & local artisanal items – Good sources for gifts, but should not be over-indulged in for personal gratification Charitable contributions (Seva, Heifer, and the like) – an even better source for gifts Plants and cut flowers – Whenever possible, cultivate from free cuttings or seeds. Ok in extreme moderation (yo, incoming oxy) when purchased from local businesses (i.e., not the Target Garden Shop)–and again, within reason Art supplies – First line of attack: SCRAP. When absolutely necessary (for the professionals and talented amateurs in the group), from local businesses Magazines, newspapers, Netflix – renewals only, no new subscriptions. Even better to consume online V ideo rentals and downloadable music files (non-material) — freely shared and legal, please
Indeed it is an idea that has spread around the world there is a ‘chapter’ of sorts in Australia called No More Stuff.
and this project by an artist where she wore only one little brown dress all year…
And then there is the very lovely No Impact Man, who if we were both super heroes then we would be buddies.
These projects are all about consumerism and trying to limit consumption in an extreme way. I can take a lot of heart that these people are setting themselves such extreme rule and have managed to keep up a fair level of discipline.
SO how do I calculate all of the things that I have done last week? The whole project is based around the idea of ‘zero’ so how can i calculate how much carbon I am creating so that I can indeed get to zero. Here is a site that calculates carbon as does this site. And this site has created the ‘carbon‘ a new currency.
I will have some time over the weekend to look at how to calculate this stuff…
