Environmental protection - a new topic?

As early as the 1980s, environmental protection was a major issue. I can remember lessons in which we were encouraged to save water, the advantages of decentralised power generation were mentioned and of course problems such as the dying forest were also discussed. For far too long, nothing has changed much, and my generation will have to put up with one or two questions from future generations.

Quite self-critically, I have for far too long relied on large corporations installing filter systems, other countries following our example and separating waste and not seeing the problem so much on my doorstep. That was a mistake.

We are all challenged

If we all wait for the last polluter to see the light, it will be too late. But it is in all our interests to let this planet breathe a little air (quite literally). I have therefore decided to reduce my CO2 footprint - ideally to zero. How well I manage to do this, where it might be easy, where it might be difficult, this is an adventure I am embarking on and I will gladly report on it. I don't want to missionize anyone, but if someone feels addressed and wants to copy me or has ideas about what I could do better, I would be happy to hear from you.

My general conditions

I built a house with my wife a few years ago; even then we were concerned about climate protection and built a house that is well insulated and has advanced heating and hot water preparation (with heat pump). That helps of course. This home is set in any case and is not for sale.

My wife works in Lübeck, I work in Hamburg - which means I will have to commute further on. A certain part of my work I can also do in my home office, so a certain reduction is basically conceivable. But a lot of things work better when there are points of contact in the office, especially between teams and, to a certain extent, within the team I work in.

I'm a meat eater - and I like to eat meat. I am aware that my diet does cause problems. I am willing to pay even more attention to quality than before and also to set up meatless days; however, I am not (yet?) ready for the step of becoming a vegetarian.

I am aware that neither my life situation nor my efforts and conditions are representative for everyone.

I am basically trying to take measures that do not pave a new special path for me, but at least in principle could also work if everyone describes this path.

And - I am aware that I will not do everything right from the beginning. I am prepared to make mistakes and to correct the course where necessary.

Limitations

It is immediately apparent from the basic data that a reduction to zero will not be possible. Even if I succeed in drastically reducing CO2 emissions from mobility and heating, I will still have to eat and get dressed - and I personally cannot directly influence the public emissions that do not directly accrue to me.

CO2 emissions, which I cannot avoid for whatever reason, will have to be offset in order to reduce my own footprint.

Compensate - how is that possible?

There are providers who have specialised in the compensation of CO2. Simply put, for a certain amount of CO2 you pay a corresponding amount, which is then used to carry out environmental protection projects.

When choosing an appropriate provider, it is important to ensure that additional and sustainable projects are financed. Atmosfair is a major player in this area and has performed well in tests so far.

What about holidays?

Holiday trips by car are already included in the mobility figures. Not included are air travel, which we certainly enjoy taking every few years. These flights cause a considerable peak in the respective year and should not be ignored. But it is an exception in our lives and we want to treat it as such. That means: If we consciously decide to take a trip by plane, we will compensate the flight as well.