The reason I am offsetting the carbon use I cannot avoid is simple.  In my mind, it is an equitable way to account for the damage I am causing the environment, even as I seek ways of lowering the damage I do.  I have a house with a gas stove and furnace, and I'm not going to freeze or starve, so burning fossil fuel will happen.  I have family on the East Coast, and flying is the only time saving way to visit.  The NetGreen program has thoroughly investigated offset programs, so I am confident that my small monthly contribution of $15 is adding to a pool of funds that will be put to work finding offsets that would not be funded otherwise, and that will eventually add to renewable energy sources.  I look upon offsets as a voluntary tax for the good of the planet. 

Andrea Faste, Sustainable Ballard, Seattle