Implementing Carbon Offsets to Increase Biomass Energy Production: A suggestion for forest management in Maine

As anthropogenic climate change progresses, it is becoming increasingly urgent that businesses, institutions, and political organizations take responsibility for their respective emissions and take action to reduce or offset these emissions. Carbon offsets, projects that reduce or remove carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases from the atmosphere, are becoming more popular and are contributing to a nationwide voluntary carbon offset market. Offsets serve as a carbon mitigation option for parties than cannot compensate for their own emissions, however they have additional long term environmental benefits as well. Forestry offset initiatives can provide biomass material for renewable energy and electricity production, thus reducing reliance on fossil fuels in the long run. Although climate change threatens to reverse carbon sequestration in the future, the long term benefits of forestry offsets in addition to their financial incentives still provide a sufficient argument to support their implementation. With its vast forested lands and current capacity for renewable energy, Maine is an excellent candidate for increased implementation of forest management projects that provide an emission mitigation option and a source of renewable energy