Estimate Your Contribution

A: We’ve done the heavy lifting to ensure your contribution is backed by science. Our calculator is informed by Bob Argue’s comprehensive Climate Lens, a research framework that evaluates a wide range of emissions and their specific impacts on our planet. By applying this local research alongside global ICAO data, we are able to estimate your flight’s total warming impact. We then translate that atmospheric impact into a financial equivalent that directly supports local climate action. If you’re keen to look deeper into the data, you can explore the full Climate Lens in our "Helpful Tools" section above.

A: Your contribution directly fuels Climate Network Lanark (CNL), a grassroots organization dedicated to high-impact climate action within Lanark County and Smiths Falls. We focus our resources on vital community projects, led by our two primary pillars: Nature-Based Climate Solutions (NBCS) and our Climate Concierge service. Through NBCS, we advocate for and implement programming that protects our local forests, wetlands, and soil—the natural "carbon sinks" essential for stabilizing our climate. Simultaneously, our Climate Concierge provides the neighbourhood peer support to residents for home retrofits and energy efficient upgrades. These core priorities are supported by a wide range of essential community work, including our Speaker Series, hands-on Workshops, Event Greening initiatives, local advocacy and more. Every dollar helps sustain the work that we do; please explore the website for more details.

A: Not at all. Our tool provides a scientific "neutralizer" based on the estimated cost of carbon, but estimating is entirely up to you. Whether you choose to contribute the suggested amount, round it up, or provide a gift that fits your current budget, every bit of support helps us keep our programs accessible to everyone across Lanark County and Smiths Falls.

A: While global credits have their place, local action provides visible, tangible resilience for your own neighbors and ecosystems. By donating to Climate Network Lanark, you are investing in the protection of our region’s natural beauty and helping local residents reduce their carbon footprints.

A: So you’re keen on the science! That’s wonderful. While most calculators only look at the CO2 from fuel, Radiative Forcing accounts for the full warming impact of a flight. When airplanes fly at high altitudes, they emit more than just carbon; they also release nitrogen oxides and water vapor, which create those white streaks in the sky known as contrails. These contrails act like a temporary blanket, trapping heat rising from the Earth that would otherwise escape into space.

Because these high-altitude effects can double or even triple the total warming caused by a journey, we include a "Radiative Forcing Index" in our calculations. This ensures your contribution reflects the actual atmospheric warming felt by the planet, not just the fuel burned. If you’re a science enthusiast and want to dive into the data behind these multipliers, we encourage you to explore the Climate Lens in our "Helpful Tools" section above!