About carbon Positive KC
Vision
We envision a future where it’s normal to be climate positive. People and organizations will take responsibility for, and clean up, their carbon trash just as they clean up their physical trash today.
Mission
We help Kansas and Missouri households and businesses measure and offset their carbon pollution. In 2023, our mission is to help 100 of them become Climate Positive.
what does it mean to be
Carbon Positive?
Becoming Carbon Positive means signaling to the world that you’ve taken action to mitigate the impact of your lifestyle or business. It means that your environmental commitment goes beyond achieving just net-zero carbon emissions. You’ve opted to not just offset your carbon emissions and through Carbon Positive KC (CPKC) support additional carbon reductions and regenerative projects. Just like you have a phone bill or a trash bill, CPKC members are cleaning up their carbon trash.
As a member of Carbon Positive KC, you can proudly display your commitment to environmental stewardship in your front lawn with your yard sign, in your community through referrals, and at your business’ front door with a Carbon Positive KC emblem.
Values
Fun
We enjoy playing the “infinite game.” Unlike many environmental groups, we don’t shame. We encourage.
Effective
We know simpler is often better, anything worth doing is worth doing right and Rome wasn’t built overnight.
Do The Right Thing
We practice intellectual and moral courage, standing up for the truth even if it costs us in the short run.
Transparent
We’re building a glass house, so we can grow trust and improve faster.
Learn Publicly
We’re nurturing a culture where each of us is a teacher and a student.
Developmental
We believe we’re all on a developmental journey and together we can grow our capacities.
Theory of Change
Concept #1: Circle of Concern vs Circle of Influence
The first concept we leverage is an insight from Stephen Covey. In his classic book The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, Covey describes the Circle of Concern and the Circle of Influence. Many are concerned about matters outside their control like recession or nuclear war. Focusing on issues like these can paralyze us with anxiety. But there are also things we can influence — like what media we allow into our minds and which people we spend time with. When we choose to focus on these issues, a funny thing happens. We achieve small successes. These create a sense of possibility. Then we achieve more successes. This creates a positive feedback loop and momentum. We become more confident. We remember our power to shape this world. Our Circle of Influence expands.
You can measure and neutralize your carbon pollution easily. Then your household. Then your organization. This creates a sense of possibility and momentum. With this first concept in mind, let’s look at the big goal. The largest assembly of scientists in human history is called the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. They say the entire world needs to be carbon neutral by 2050. This means reducing our emissions and balancing out whatever remains by removing them. Hence the term net-zero.
What We Do
All of us create carbon emissions when we drive, fly, heat our homes, etc. These emissions are heating our world. We need to reduce them, but how?
You’ve probably heard the saying, “If you can’t measure it, you can’t manage it.” So the first step is to measure your carbon footprint.
Our nonprofit will help you do this for free.
Once you schedule your appointment, you’ll receive a list of questions on topics like:
Transportation
Electricity
Food
Home
Then you’ll speak with one of our experts for about fifteen minutes. They’ll use a carbon calculator developed by researchers at UC Berkeley to calculate your household’s carbon footprint.
Finally, you’ll receive a free, customized report for your household. It’ll explain how many tons of carbon emissions your household produces, where they come from, and how you can reduce these direct emissions.
What is a carbon footprint?
A carbon footprint is the amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) produced in a single year by a person or an organization.
What does ‘carbon positive’ mean?
A person’s carbon footprint can be offset so that their carbon impact is a net zero. Carbon Positive means that a person or organization removes more carbon from the environment than they emit, or goes above in beyond supporting projects that might not measure to carbon but are beneficial to the bioregion.
How much does it cost to be carbon positive?
This depends on the lifestyle of you, your household, or organization. On average, it may cost around $20. To know for sure, book a carbon inventory to learn more about the carbon footprint of your lifestyle.
When I donate how is the money used?
60% of your money directly supports carbon offset projects. 20% of your money is reinvested in local projects. 20% is used for overhead.
How can I be sure that my donation is used effectively?
We conduct extensive due diligence on each project and only purchase offsets from the most established and respected carbon certification organizations.
Who created Carbon Positive KC?
Carbon Positive KC is a program of the Foundation for Regeneration. You can see our founders below.
I have solar panels, an electric vehicle, or pay for renewable energy credits (RECs). Am I carbon positive?
Not likely. Recognition is due for the investments and actions you’ve already taken. However, most modern lifestyles emit more carbon than these actions reduce.
How can I speak with someone at Carbon Positive Kansas City?
We’re happy to conduct a personalized carbon inventory for you. Click Measure Your Carbon Footprint to book a time with us.
Do you want to be carbon Positive?
Start by measuring your carbon footprint.
