Carbon Calculators?
April 28, 2008
Here is a copy of an email that I sent to one of the “offsettors” (in green font- below)
I don’t identify the offsettor by name-
the calculations that their calculator comes up with are more conservative than average.
Perhaps my understanding of chemistery is wrong - however it appears to me that these offsettors are , on average multiplying the actual CO2 Emissions by at least 10 times the the maximum possible.( At least by my understanding of chemistry) I hope I’m Wrong- because alot of people that want to do some good are depending on these calculators. When I contacted This company I went through the numbers with the person in charge there- he indicated that they depend on “the inter-governmental board on climate change” as well as other internationally recognized climate change authorities.
I told him that I was going to post this letter to our blog - and he could comment on it if he wanted to explain further.
I indicated to him that if the calculator was incorrect then he should get it changed.
Unfortunately if the calculator is incorrect - they could only sell you offsetts for 12$ instead of 128$.
Anyway- here is the Letter
Good day sir-
Using your carbon calculator a flight from
The maximum amount of fuel that would be used per person is 170 kg to 220 kg .
Could you please tell me how it is possible to get 3466 kg of CO2 from 220kg of fuel?
Here are some pieces of info that may help to identify the calculation error
The molecule weight of oxygen is 16
The molecule weight of Carbon is 12
Therefore if the fuel was 100% carbon- which it is not ( it is a hydrocarbon )
The total CO2 WOULD ONLY =220KG * 2.75= 605 KG
–
Eric Williamson
www.NorthVanGreenTours.com
Ph (604)290-0145
Fax (604)924-3829
info@northvangreentours.com
“Helping to Keep BC The most
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