全世界第一個碳中和釣魚錦標賽12日在邁阿密海岸碼頭（Miami Beach Marina）舉行，有23艘船在這項競賽較勁。旗魚錦標賽（Sailfish Tournament）的勝利者以捕得10尾旗魚奪冠，不過該團隊稍後又再釋放了這些漁獲。
這個錦標賽以收入一部分補償活動的碳排放足跡，藉此達成碳平衡的承諾。召集人奇普尼斯（Dan Kipnis）船長表示：「釣客很珍惜佛羅里達沿岸水域，而我們有責任保護這塊水域」。奇普尼斯也是佛羅里達野生物基金會（Florida Wildlife Federation）理事長（director-at-large），這個基金會是美國國家野生物基金會（National Wildlife Federation）的分會。
奇普尼斯指出：「參賽選手們知道氣候變遷威脅我們喜愛的旗魚以及他的棲地。以此補償我們所排放的碳，只是一種表達我們並不打算將責任推卸給下一代釣客的方法。」
這個競賽透過艾格色特（AgCert）碳信用公司來補償一個約200噸二氧化碳的排放量，這些費用會用在佛州東岸一個甲烷採集計畫。來自鮮奶農場的甲烷氣體會被轉換成電力，以平衡掉錦標賽產生的溫室氣體對環境的衝擊。
這項錦標賽的共同贊助者美國環境保護協會（Environmental Defense）想要確認錦標賽碳中和的信念能引起釣客們的共鳴，他們已經啟動「綠色按鈕計畫（Green Button Project）」，這項計畫提供釣客使用船舶燃料的同時也有機會購買氣候緩解點數。
The world's first carbon neutral fishing tournament was held over the weekend at the Miami Beach Marina. Twenty-three boats competed in the event, with the winning team catching and releasing 10 fish to take top honors in the Sailfish Tournament.
The tournament completed its pledge to balance its carbon ledger, using a portion of the proceeds to offset its carbon footprint.
"Anglers cherish Florida's coastal waters, and we have a responsibility to protect them," said Captain Dan Kipnis, tournament organizer and director-at-large for the Florida Wildlife Federation, an affiliate of the National Wildlife Federation.
"Sportsmen know climate change threatens the fish we love and the habitats they live in. Offsetting our emissions is just one way to show we're not going to pass the buck to the next generation of anglers," he said.
The tournament is offsetting an estimated 200 tons of carbon dioxide emissions through AgCert, which will use the funds for an East Coast methane capture project. Methane gas from dairy farms will be converted into electricity, balancing out the tournament's greenhouse gas impact on the environment.
Environmental Defense, a co-sponsor of the tournament, wants to make sure the tournament's carbon neutral message resonates with Florida anglers. The group has launched the Green Button Project, which offers anglers the chance to buy climate mitigation credits when they fuel their boats.
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In my healing journey and learning to attain the breath awareness, I become aware of the reality that all the creatures of the world are breathing the same breath. Take action, here and now. From my physical being to the every corner of this out of balance's planet.
