Editorial: Shifting into neutral

Sunday, Feb. 4, 2007 | 7:48 a.m.

I f you feel guilty about driving around town sending carbon dioxide toward the ozone layer, adding to global warming, have no fear, there are eco-capitalists ready to help.

One of the offshoots of the debate on solving, or slowing, global warming is the idea of people going "carbon neutral," or offsetting the amount of carbon dioxide they create from driving, flying or turning on the lights or heat at home.

Online you can find a number of "carbon calculators" that will help you figure out how much carbon dioxide you create each year. You can then pay, in proportion to the amount of carbon dioxide you produce, to have any number of organizations plant trees or build renewable energy plants that will, at least in theory, offset what you use.

It has become the rage among celebrities, such as Leonardo DiCaprio, and the environmentally conscious, such as former Vice President Al Gore.

The idea has been criticized by those who see it as a way to make money off people's guilt. Others say this is a terrible message to send to people - buy a Hummer, pollute all you want, just send money.

The idea sounds good, as long as what is promised - a couple of clicks and you too can help provide cleaner-burning stoves to Eritrea - actually comes true and actually does reduce emissions. People, though, shouldn't just become checkbook activists. We can all reduce the carbon dioxide emissions in our lives by looking around and taking action: Turn the thermostat down, turn off lights when you are not using them, drive more fuel-efficient cars or take public transportation, recycle.

A report issued last week by 500 scientists and climate experts concluded that global warming is worsening - that means more bizarre weather and rising seas - and found, with more than 90 percent certainty, that it is man-made.

The bottom line is this: We all have a responsibility for global warming, and we all can - and must - do something about it.