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SUSTAINABILITY PUBLISHER IS FIRST IN NORTH AMERICA TO GO CARBON NEUTRAL
Publisher has a history of environmental firsts; printing on ancient forest-free paper since 2001
New Society Publishers, an activist press focusing on sustainability issues, has become the first publisher in North America to become carbon neutral. The publisher operates from offices on Gabriola Island, British Columbia.With the purchase of 213 tons of carbon offsets, New Society Publishers (NSP) has neutralized the effect of the 213 tons of emissions that were released into the atmosphere during 2003 as a result of the publisher's use of paper, fuel, electricity, and garbage.
"This is a great way to play our part, as we try to find ways to conduct our business in a more environmentally friendly manner," said Chris Plant, co-owner of NSP. "We see it as a fundamental component of being a socially responsible business and walking our talk."
Becoming "carbon neutral" is a new expression that is gathering momentum around the world. The growing list of companies and organizations that have become carbon neutral includes the HSBC Bank, with 10,000 offices in 76 countries; the City of Newcastle, UK; and Volvo's fleet sales team. If you know where to look, it is possible to buy carbon neutral flights, cars, holidays, concerts, conferences, and houses.
In 2003, Canada's Premiers' Conference on Prince Edward Island became carbon neutral through the purchase of 850 trees planted by Tree Canada to offset the emissions from the ministers' flights to PEI. The 2006 Commonwealth Games in Victoria, Australia, is planning to be carbon neutral, as well as the American Football League's 2006 Superbowl XL, to be held in Detroit.
New Society's 213 tonnes of emissions came from its use of paper (140 tonnes), flights and couriers (65 tonnes), trucking and vehicle travel (7 tonnes), fuel for heat and power (0.75 tonnes); and garbage (0.14 tonnes).
Half of the publisher's emissions were offset by a contribution to Tree Canada, which will plant 182 trees to absorb 106 tonnes of NSP's emissions.
The other half (for 107 tonnes) was offset by a contribution to the Solar Electric Light Fund (SELF), based in Washington DC. SELF brings solar electric lighting to villagers in countries such as South Africa and Bhutan, replacing the use of kerosene, which is a dangerous and expensive carbon-producing fossil fuel.
NSP's emissions analysis was done by climate specialist Guy Dauncey, author of the award-winning book Stormy Weather: 101 Solutions to Global Climate Change (New Society Publishers, 2001). Mr. Dauncey is himself carbon neutral, offsetting his personal emissions each year, a habit he shares with Hollywood stars Leonardo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt and Jake Gyllenhaal.
"It takes a bit of time and effort, and some number-crunching," said Mr. Dauncey, "but it's nothing that any other business need be shy of. We all need to play our part as we seek ways to reduce our emissions."
Mr. Dauncey has also created a template that NSP can use in future years, and a paper called Going Carbon Neutral – A Guide for Publishers which can be used by any publisher in the world to help them do the same. This is available for free downloads on NSP's website, at www.newsociety.com.
The 25-year old Gabriola Island-based publisher has a staff of eight people, and publishes over 25 titles a year. Its goal as a company is "to contribute in fundamental ways to building a more ecologically sustainable and just society."