Abstract

A guiding framework for the types of changes required to dramatically reduce carbon emissions is one guided by the philosophy of small, local, and integrated. This framework for sustainability in food production, transportation, urban design, and broader local economies has been well developed. However there are no existing local carbon markets where people can trade emissions reductions locally. Further, there are no models that suggest how these might be created. This paper addresses that missing link by investigating the application of the local solution to offsetting emissions. Larger emission exchanges, farmers’ markets, community-supported agriculture, nonprofits, Kiva-like systems, local government, and public radio are all models that are investigated for their applicability to offsetting carbon emissions locally. The potential advantages and disadvantages for each are discussed as well as the areas most likely to yield progress.