The Carbon Footprint

A Carbon Footprint is a measure of the impact human activities have on the environment in terms of the amount of greenhouse gases produced, measured in units of carbon dioxide. According to Wikipedia, it is meant to be useful for individuals and organizations to conceptualize their personal (or organizational) impact in contributing to global warming. Since travelling around is such a large part of a running race's "Carbon Footprint," offering ways for racers to car pool and use public transportation is key to your green race. Take a look at www.carboncounter.org to understand how to measure your personal or event's carbon footprint. Work with www.carbonfund.org for ideas for your race.

If possible, consider planning the beginning and end of your race near public transportation - also, publish local bus service schedules and links on your race site.

Offer a Hopstop link, www.hopstop.com/, on your race website. Hopstop, works like Mapquest, but with train and bus lines. The runner would simply enter their beginning and ending destinations, and the tool shows the user where to start, which mode of transportation to take, which stop to exit from, transfer directions if needed, and where to go once they are out on the street. It even includes maps and estimated travel times. Reward public transportation with a discount off next year's race.

Create links for carpooling through www.rideshare.us/ and www.Erideshare.com/ - free services connecting commuters, or travelers going the same way. Runners could save travel, reduce their (and the race's) carbon footprint, and perhaps even make a few "Green" friends along the way. To reward carpoolers, offer preferred parking and VIP race access.

Carbon Offsets

Carbon Counter explains a carbon offset in the following way: Offset means "neutralize," "balance," or "cancel out." When we do certain activities like driving or flying, we emit carbon dioxide. Carbon offsets counteract these activities by funding projects that remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Therefore, when you buy a carbon offset, you are helping to fund a project that reduces the amount of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere.

Carbon offsets are an easy and affordable way to compensate for our contribution to climate change. They are a critical piece of the solution to global warming because they push investments into new technologies and programs that make a difference today.

Green police and pace bikes

Use bike police and pace bikes instead of cars - besides reducing your race's carbon footprint, you will also go a long way in making people feel like the race is more sustainable and educating through example.

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