|
The Carbon Neutral
Business Ad Campaign is a loosely knit group of businesses, with leadership
provided by Bend of Ivy Lodge and Appalachian Offsets, working to increase
public awareness about the importance of carbon neutrality, and supporting
environmentally responsible businesses. In the short term, ads donated
at cost by local media will increase the visibility and public awareness
of local carbon neutral businesses. In the long term, we hope to mobilize
market forces to encourage other businesses to become carbon neutral.
You're
invited to join us, and to have your business or non-profit listed as
a sponsor of a recurring half page public service ad in the Asheville
Citizen-Times.
As
you know, being "carbon neutral" means that your business commits
to taking responsibility for removing as much carbon dioxide from the
atmosphere as all of your activities emit. (think electricity usage, driving,
air travel, propane, etc.) In practice, the simplest way to do this is
to donate money to an organization that will take energy conservation
measures on your behalf.
We are inviting you to join a number of other carbon neutral businesses
in co-sponsoring a series of half page ads. The ad will be provided at
cost by the Asheville Citizen-Times, and the graphics work is being donated.
To participate costs $100 per business, and the next deadline for participating
is January 18, 2008. When we finalize the number of participating businesses,
we'll finish up the graphics work and the first ad will run in early February,
See the concept
piece for the ad.
Advantages to participating?
-
Community recognition as an environmental leader.
-
Association with other carbon neutral businesses.
-
Attraction and business from environmentally aware customers.
-
Recognition as a sponsor of a public service advertisement.
- It's
the right thing to do.
-
It feels good.
What's involved? Becoming carbon neutral involves three key steps:
ONE: Assess your current energy usage. You can download and complete
this form,
and send it to Matt Siegel at info@wncgbc.org or 254-1995. Matt will
calculate your carbon emissions, and tell you exactly what it would
cost to offset your current emissions.
TWO: Offset your remaining carbon dioxide emissions by purchasing offsets
with Appalachian Offsets.
Proceeds will go to purchase efficient light bulbs to be installed by
UNCA student volunteers in low income housing right here in Asheville.
Simply write a check to Appalachian Offsets. They will certify your
carbon neutrality based on the numbers you submit.
THREE: Reduce your consumption as much as possible. For larger businesses,
this can take time. You don't have to do it all at once. Waste Reduction
Partners can provide a free energy audit and make practical suggestions,
many of which will pay for themselves in a short period of time. See
what we've done at Bend of Ivy Lodge.
After you've become carbon neutral, you are invited to participate in
the ad campaign. Note: You must be verifiably carbon neutral
to be listed as a sponsor for the ad! Your $100 will purchase
sponsorship in at least one half page ad, and as many more as we can buy,
given the number of participants. Your ad money will get much more visibility
if you recruit other businesses to become carbon neutral and this becomes
an on-going series of ads!
To
participate, please:
- Send
a check no later than January 18, 2008, to Bend of Ivy Lodge for $100
(3717 Bend of Ivy Rd, Marshall, NC 28753.) Mark your check
"Carbon Neutral Ad." Please include your business name, website,
and phone contact information.
- OR, you may pay
on-line with a credit card. Your business and contact information
will be listed in at least one half page ads, and if participation allows,
more than one.
Please
email me or call at 828-254-2021
if you have any questions.
Doug
Silsbee
Owner,
Bend of Ivy Lodge
http://bendofivylodge.com
http://dougsilsbee.com
|
