October 2021 | Lab Grown Magazine

October 2021 | The Lab Grown Diamond Resource Book 30 To advertise call (888) 832-1109 | October 2021 31 means that every transactional step of every log, timeframe,problem,hopeful solution,and more would be readable and downloadable. Every employee’s full name, title, location, and related signoffs, including email addresses and phone numbers (often personal mobile numbers) would be open season to anyone entering the single SSOT. The risk is real, but the positives seem to outweigh any possible breach—until there is a breach. But let’s tackle the basics first. What is Carbon Neutral? While we previously addressed the definition of sustainability , many readers are questioning the official meaning of the term carbon neutral. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the term carbon neutral refers to achieving net-zero carbon dioxide emissions. This is done by balancing emissions of carbon dioxide with its removal, often through offsetting. Now, we need to define two key words in the above definition: Net-zero and offsetting. The term net zero is becoming increasingly popular to describe a broader, more comprehensive commitment to decarbonization. Moving beyond carbon neutrality by including more indirect emissions activities often includes a science-based emissions reduction target as opposed to relying solely on offsetting. A carbon offset is a reduction in carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) emissions and/or other greenhouse gases to compensate for emissions made elsewhere. Offsets are measured in tonnes (a metric unit of mass) of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO 2 e).One tonne of carbon offset represents the reduction of 1,000 kilograms of carbon dioxide, or its equivalent in other greenhouse gases. Keep in mind that many daily routine things we do produce CO 2 . Driving your car, powering your home and more all create your own personal carbon footprint. So, being carbon neutral means that you, or the operations of your business, emit the same amount of CO 2 into the atmosphere that you offset by some other means. Adding solar panels to your home or switching to an electric vehicle are personal examples of ways to reduce your carbon dioxide output. TheTop 10Worst Offenders It’s easy to find the companies most consistently acknowledged as the top carbon-polluting offenders. Look no further than the fossil fuel guzzling global giants that earn this unwelcome title year in and year out—with BP, Chevron, ExxonMobil, and the National Iranian Oil Company topping the list. On a national level, the top three countries with the worst carbon footprint are China, Russia, and India. America pops in and out of the top 10, but is always in the top 20. TheMulti-Billion Dollar Question On the global emissions statistical chart, where do diamonds rank? Currently, we have many con- versations in play on this critical question. In an attempt to gain the clearest, most direct and accurate response, we must delay this answer to the next issue. But consider this: If major diamond miners or the largest LGD growers are not on any top 100 list of polluting companies, how much impact do either mined or man-made diamonds really have when talking green ? Or maybe the question should be: How much impact does the diamond industry gain in leveraging a few of the most popular search terms and phrases of our lifetime? DanScott is the founder andbrandarchitect of LuxeLicensing, a New York/metro marketing firm. Dan enjoys brand and marketing discussions and welcomes conversation. He may be reached at dans@luxelicensing.com or LuxeLicensing.com . ◊ While the United States moves in-and-out of the top 10 worst countries contributing to carbon chaos, the country always makes the top 20 due to its per capita emissions. By comparison, China always makes the top 5 worst carbon-positive countries due to its land mass to pollution ratio and a carbon-generating population growing to standing room only status. (Image: Stern School of Business)