Episode 20 Offsetting - Does it help or hinder as we tackle a climate emergency? with Will Richardson and Jarvis Smith

We know that we are now in a 'code red' for humanity.  Reducing carbon outputs is a vital part of our strategy to tackle the climate emergency.

Carbon offsetting is way that businesses, governments and individuals can pay a contribution to an environmental project to make up for carbon that they are generating.  For example paying to plant a tree to offset the carbon generated by a flight.

But does offsetting really help us reduce carbon overall or it just a way to hide from the issue?

In this episode our podcast host Jo Salter, founder and CEO of clothing and textiles social enterprise Where Does It Come From? talks with Will Richardson and Jarvis Smith.

Will Richardson founded Green Element in 2004 and Compare Your Footprint in 2015, with a desire to help as many businesses as possible go ‘green’. A pioneer and early adopter of many now-mandatory environmental standards, his visionary approach and inspiring leadership is exemplary.  He is also a current board member and Chairman of the British Kitesports Association; the NGB for kitesports.  Will runs his own podcast which is constantly featured in the top of the eco podcast lists.

Jarvis Smith is a proud hippie, mystic, self-confessed tree-hugger and radical eco-warrior - he's also a thought leader, entrepreneur, speaker and renowned online retail businessman. His first magazine GREEN was published with National Geographic from 2008, which then moved to The Guardian in 2010, evolving into the My Green Pod magazine from 2013. Co-produced with wife Katie Hill, it is now the world’s biggest ethical lifestyle magazine. Jarvis launched the P.E.A. (People Environment Achievement) Awards which, in its 11th year, is the UK’s leading sustainability awards and honours individuals and teams for their contribution towards sustainability.  Jarvis and wife Katie also run the My Green Podcast with Jo Wood.

Links:

Compare Your Footprint - https://www.compareyourfootprint.com/

Green Element - https://www.greenelement.co.uk/

My Green Pod - https://www.mygreenpod.com/

The P.E.A Awards - https://www.peaawards.com/

Fit for the Future - https://fftf.org.uk/about

Where Does It Come From? - https://www.wheredoesitcomefrom.co.uk