Frequently Asked Questions


What is global warming?
Global warming is the observed increase in the average temperature of the Earth's atmosphere and oceans in recent decades. The current scientific consensus is that most of the observed warming over the last 50 years is likely to have been attributable to human activities.

How does driving a gas-powered vehicle contribute to global warming?
As carbon dioxide is released by the burning of fossil fuels, there is an increase in the greenhouse effect. The greenhouse effect is the heating that occurs when gases such as carbon dioxide trap heat escaping from the Earth and radiate it back to the surface; so-called because the gases are transparent to sunlight but not to heat and thus act like the glass in a greenhouse.

What is a carbon offset?
A carbon offset zeros out (offsets) all or part of carbon dioxide emissions by reducing carbon emissions or increasing carbon absorption.
¸ Worldwide carbon emissions can be reduced through energy conservation and by investment in solar and wind energy.
¸ Carbon dioxide absorptions can be increased through investment in reforestation. In rainy tropical reforestation, each tree removes about 22 kg (about 50 pounds) of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere each year: 40 years after planting, the average tropical tree will have sequestered about 2000 pounds of carbon dioxide.
These investments reduce net greenhouse gas emissions with the aim of combating global warming. Effectively offsetting the emissions of an activity makes that activity carbon neutral.

What is carbon neutrality?
Effectively offsetting the emissions of a gas-powered vehicle, makes that vehicle "carbon neutral". The average US car emits 12,000 pounds of carbon dioxide/year—and an SUV emits about 20,000 pounds of CO2! Investing in renewable energy, or in reforestation, offsets those emissions, and makes your vehicle carbon neutral.

How does displaying my green magnet help to prevent global warming?
Displaying your green magnet shows the world that you have offset the annual carbon emissions of your vehicle, and that each citizen can have a direct impact on the worldwide crisis of global warming.