WO2007079228A2

WO2007079228A2 - Determining an individual's environmental impact by analyzing consumption behavior

Info

Publication number: WO2007079228A2
Application number: PCT/US2006/049580
Authority: WO
Inventors: Rajesh Shah; Michel Gelobter; Marie Olivier; Stephen Fowler
Original assignee: Redefining Progress
Priority date: 2005-12-30
Filing date: 2006-12-29
Publication date: 2007-07-12
Also published as: WO2007079228A3

Abstract

The invention provides for an automatic assessment of the environmental impact, especially regarding greenhouse gas emissions, of purchases made by consumer. The a quantitation of the impact is delivered to the consumer on a periodic basis along with the opportunity to use any rewards or rebates due to the consumer to automatically mitigate the consumer's footprint.

Description

DETERMINING AN INDIVIDUAL'S ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT BY ANALYZING CONSUMPTION BEHAVIOR

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Climate Change

[0001] Consider the headlines from the summer of 2005:

[0002] July: A record breaking heat wave engulfed a wide swath of the northern hemisphere from California to southern Europe, (see, e.g., "Southeast Europe Scorched as Heat Wave Reaches Record Highs Temperatures, website of CNN (Europe, Weather), dated JuI. 5, 2005, accessed Dec. 30, 2005.) A recent study found that summer temperatures in 16 of Europe's capital cities have warmed sharply in the past 30 years (see, e.g., "It's Got Hotter in the City, says WWF," website of WWF, dated Aug. 12, 2005, accessed Dec. 29, 2005). [0003] July: Marine biologists discovered a series of ominous signs along the Pacific Coast: higher nearshore ocean temperatures, plummeting catches of groundfish, an explosion of dead birds on coastal beaches, and very few plankton (see, e.g., T. Chea, "Strange Weather Disrupts Marine Ecosystems along Pacific Coast, website of Monterey Herald, dated JuI. 23, 2005, accessed Dec. 30, 2005). The collapse of marine ecosystems along the Pacific Coast is being attributed to a weakening of cold water upwelling, a possible consequence of global warming.

[0004] August: Researchers discovered that a vast expanse of western Siberia's frozen peat bog is undergoing an unprecedented thaw that could dramatically increase the rate of global warming (see, e.g., Fred Pearce, "Climate Warming as Siberia Melts," the website of New Scientist, dated Aug. 11, 2005, accessed De. 30, 2005). Climate scientists fear that the thaw could release billions of tons of methane, estimated as being over 20 times more potent than carbon dioxide at causing global warming (see, e.g., the website of the U.S. EPA; epa.gov/nonco2/econ-inv/table.html, accessed 9/27/05). [0005] September: Fueled by abnormally high sea surface temperatures, deadly hurricane Katrina slammed into the fragile Louisiana and Mississippi coasts killing over 1,000, inflicting over $100 billion in economic damages, eliminating over 400,000 jobs and leaving an equal number of children homeless. While the links between global warming and any particular hurricane are tenuous, recent scientific studies have found that hurricanes of class IV and class V, i.e., the strongest two classes, have almost doubled in number in the past 35 years as carbon dioxide concentrations and global temperatures have risen. (PJ Webster, GJ Holland, JA Curry, H-R Chang, "Changes in Tropical Cyclone Number, Duration, and Intensity in a Warming Environment, Science 2005 309:1844-46). [0006] In Australia, the Bureau of Meteorology reported that the 10 months from January to October 2005 were the warmest since they began to keep monthly records began in 1950. This puts Australia on track to make 2005 the hottest year since annual record keeping began in 1910 ("This could be Australia's hottest year," the website of NEWS.com.au, dated Nov. 14, 2005, accessed 11/29/05.) [0007] Thus, there are alarming signs that scientists' dire predictions of a runaway greenhouse effect are coming true, driven in part by the increasing use of fossil fuels. With the increase in temperature may come a litany of catastrophes in the form of inundated coastlines, killer heat waves, raging wildfires, collapsing ecosystems, devastating storms and tropical disease epidemics spreading away from the tropics. [0008] Scientists have been warning the world about climate change for many years.

(See, e.g., Paul R. Epstein, "Climate Change and Human Health," New Eng. J. Med. 353:1433-36 (2005). Although the current global warming may be part of a natural cycle, there is a broad-based agreement that human activity is increasing the rate of warming. The primary human activity that contributes to global warming is the burning of fossil fuels and the Accompanying release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. With the continued industrialization of the world, the rate of release is likely to increase. To begin to respond to the potential crisis, world leaders assembled and drafted the Kyoto protocol almost ten years ago, in 1997. The Kyoto Protocol is a commitment by the signatory nations to lower six greenhouse gas emissions to under 1990 levels. [0009] The Kyoto Protocol entered into force on February 16, 2005 with the major non- signatory nations being the United States and Australia. The Protocol's impact is not currently clear. Emissions from signatory nations such as France, Italy, Greece, Ireland, the Netherlands, and Spain have increased by 7% to 59% since 1990, despite early pledges to begin action prior to the Protocol. [0010] The U.S. has indicated its intention to reduce its emissions by other means without being bound by the Kyoto Protocol. Despite this, U.S. carbon dioxide emissions have increased by 16.7% since 1990. By some accounts, giving the oil and gas industry tens of billions of dollars in subsidies and weakening environmental protections, current policies seem to all but guarantee that emissions will continue to increase. Thus, while these disturbing events unfold, governments seem unable or unwilling to control greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. [0011] The failure of international agreements or national governments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions has sparked a groundswell of greenhouse gas reduction actions at the state and local level. In apparent disagreement with current U.S. federal policies, over 150 mayors from across the United States have 'ratified' the Kyoto Protocols and agreed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 6% below 1990 levels by 2012 (see, e.g., M.

Sappenfield, "Global-warming Fight Goes Grass Roots," website of Christian Science Monitor, dated Jun. 6, 2005, accessed Dec. 30, 2005, website of the Office of the Mayor for Seattle, WA., the "Climate page, accessed Dec. 30, 2005). In the northeastern U.S., nine states have taken an historic step of agreeing to a market driven cap-and-trade system where businesses must trim emissions under set limits or buy credits from companies that have complied with the limits (see, e.g., T. Gardner, "States breaking with Bush on carbon fail to agree," website of Herald Daily News, dated Dec. 15, 2005, accessed Dec. 30, 2005). [0012] The climate change concerns have also reached the individual. Individual and institutional consumers can become the 800 pound gorilla missing from the global climate policy arena. Their combined purchasing power can drive technological innovations and corporate policies towards climate friendly goods and services and bolster emerging markets for carbon offsets. There is no doubt that ordinary citizens are willing to pay significant amounts of money to reduce impacts of global warming. For example, one nationwide study conservatively estimated U.S. households' annual willingness to pay for Kyoto compliance to be approximately $200 (A study by PIPA released July 5, 2005, see the PIPA WorldWideWeb site (pipa.org) at OnlineReports/ ClimateChange/ ClimateChangeO5_JulO5/ ClimateChange05_Jul05jpr.pdf (accessed November 15, 2005)). The proliferation of green procurement policies adopted by governments, universities, and businesses is another strong market signal of willingness to pay for effective climate change programs. Already, this willingness to pay is being manifested in the market through soaring demands for climate neutral transportation such as Toyota™' s Prius™, emissions free goods and services, and carbon offsets offered by organizations such as Climate Trust ^rM. [0013] Despite these trends, the markets for climate friendly goods and services and carbon offsets are still in their infancy. There are two major barriers thwarting greater consumer participation. The first is any clear link between consumer behavior and carbon emissions. Without knowing how spending patterns affect emissions, consumers have little incentive to change those patterns, even if they are strongly supportive of emissions reduction programs in general. The second barrier is the lack of any clear line of sight between consumers interested in offsetting their greenhouse gas emissions and verifiable options for doing so. To overcome these barriers, consumers need to know answers to two basic questions: What am I responsible for? and What can I do?

Credit Card Industry: Understanding Individual Purchase Decisions

[0014] Today online retailers, conventional retailers, product manufacturers, and the credit card industry obtain and have detailed information about purchases made using credit cards, debit cards, personal computers, and web browsers, as well as store- and brand-loyalty cards. [0015] The credit card industry has over 641 million credit cards in circulation in the

U.S. accounting for an estimated $1.5 trillion in consumer spending. The industry is very profitable due in large part to two revenue streams: one that is transaction-based and the other that is based on finance charges applied to balances. [0016] Merchants are charged 2% to 5% on all credit card transactions. This income to the credit card company is expanded by the interest rate on balances carried over from month to month and by the fees such as late fees for late payments. A recent report noted that the fees charged by credit card companies accounted for approximately 30% of their revenue (Jeannine Aversa, "Overdue Credit Card Bills Hit Record High" at the WWW site of ABA.com (September 29, 2005)). [0017] Frequently, part of the profits from a credit card are used as an enticement or reward to the customer. This reward/rebate, as it is referred to herein, may be used for frequent flyer miles (e.g., American Express and Delta Airlines) or a donation to a charity {e.g., the Sierra Club). Programs such as these are associated with specialty credit cards, known as affinity cards, that are tied to a rewards program. Between 0.5% and 3% of the individual's purchases may be returned to the consumer (or allocated by the consumer to a third party) under a reward/rebate program as an incentive to use the credit card. ^• [0018] Surveys have shown that the reward system is effective in encouraging consumers to choose to use a particular credit card rather than paving with cash, a check, or another card. Thus, a majority of the new cards being issued today are affinity cards offering some reward/rebate to the consumer.

[0019] Reward incentives, or reward/rebate programs, are increasingly used independent of credit cards. A number of banks have started offering incentives based on debit card purchases, and there are long-standing practices in retail merchandising aimed at using loyalty points and rewards to encourage customer acquisition and retention. Product manufacturers have also used such affinity and/or loyalty systems to increase customer loyalty to particular brands and products. [0020] Finally, the relatively new world of online shopping has spawned a massive industry called online affiliate marketing, whereby retailers offer substantial discounts to shoppers who come to the online stores from particular websites via referrals, advertising, or other ways of drawing consumers to the referring website. Retailers offer these programs to individual businesses that can refer customers, but also in aggregate form so that websites can offer hundreds of affiliate links at once in a highly automated way. Surveys have shown that the reward system is effective in encouraging consumers to choose to use a particular credit card rather than paying with cash or a check, a particular store that offers the loyalty benefits, and/or a particular product that is affiliated with the consumers' interest. A majority of the new cards being issued today are affinity cards offering some reward to the consumer.

Credit Card Transactions

[0021 ] Credit cards are identified by the number encoded in the magnetic strip and embossed on the front of the card. Currently, using satellite hook-ups, account information on credit card purchases can be instantly checked. [0022] In the standard credit card transaction depicted in Figure 2, a consumer presents a card to a retailer (merchant) for purchasing goods or services; the retailer places a charge against the card by swiping it at a point-of-sale terminal (POS) 201. The credit card and transaction amount are verified at the gateway 202 {e.g. the Visa™ system) and by the acquiring bank (where the merchant keeps their account) and by the issuing bank (which issued the card to the consumer). The merchant's bank collects all the transactions to determine how much to pay the merchant 203 and sends each transaction to the bank that issued the card for that transaction. The issuing and/or billing bank collects all the transactions for each card 204. The monthly statement created by the issuing bank is sent to the cardholder 205. [0023] Within this system, a wide array of data is transferred back and forth. In the verification step, the gateway system, e.g., MasterCard™) verifies and approves the transaction, along with the acquiring bank and the issuing bank. Subsequent to the approval, the actual transaction data is sent from the POS and consists of three levels of data:

Ll : Level 1 data contains the amount of the transaction; L2: Level 2 data contains the tax information (how much sales tax was paid);

L3: Level 3 data is the entire text that is printed on the receipt in a structured format with each item and amount clearly identified (can be any length and may be quite long). L3 data shows, for example, how many gallons were purchased or the exact flight details.

Loyalty and Rewards Transactions

[0024] Retailers identify their customers through a unique identifier, issued to consumers directly in the form of a loyalty card or by another method of identifying returning customers, including a credit card number.

[0025] In a typical loyalty card transaction as depicted in Figure 14, a consumer presents a loyalty, debit or credit card at the point of sale 1402. The customer's loyaly, debit, or credit card number is contained in a magnetic strip or electronic chip on or in the card; this number is captured and matched 1404. In some embodiments, this is done at the

POS or by the retailer when the customer has registered their loyalty directly, while in other embodiments this maybe done by a third party who reconciles purchases made by an individual customer to records of the customer's membership in the retailer's loyalty files. In other embodiments, where the transaction occurs at participating retailers, the third party can reconcile purchases made by an individual customer to the customer's membership in an affinity group. From any of these capture systems, the merchant received detailed data on the specific purchase made by the consumer often, detailed often to the level of the exact brand, product, packaging and pricing, through the UPC code used by the products 1403.

Online Affiliate Marketing Shopping Transactions

[0026] Online affiliate marketers refer consumers to online retailers using online advertising or through an online portal or mall. The customer clicks through to purchase from a particular online retailer or to purchase a particular product that has been identified by the referring site. The affiliate marketer and the online retailer may share a unique identifier that keeps track of the customer using a cookie or a memory-resident program. Either of these places a unique identifier for each customer and each transaction on the customer's computer.

[0027] In a standard online affiliate shopping transaction depicted in Figure 15, a consumer arrives at a website using the consumer's web browser 1501. An identifying cookie is loaded onto the consumer's hard drive or a program resident in this computer's memory is activated 1502. A wide array of data is collected on the consumer's browsing pattern, the purchases made by the consumer directly at this website, whether the consumer responds (clicks through) to an advertisement or offer, or the consumer's selection of a particular retailer or product that the consumer considers purchasing 1502,

1503.

[0028] The purchase detail data is sent back to the affiliate marketer electronically as well as on a regular basis in printed reports from retailers 1504, 1505. Each retailer has an agreed upon discount or rebate which is which is also sent to the affiliate marketer. The referring affiliate marketer keeps a portion of the rebate. The remaining rebate is sent either by the affiliate marketer or the retailer back to the consumer as a discount on the product purchase.

U.S. Patents and Applications [0029] U.S. Patent No. 6,345,261 relates to a customer loyalty investment program. U.S

Patent No. 6,631,358 relates a system of incremental savings by the use of a credit card. U.S. Patent Publication No. 2006/0089851 Al (application no. 11/255,997) (Silby and Tennant) relates to informing consumers about carbon usage based on purchases. All these patents and publications are incorporated by reference herein, including any drawings, figures, and tables.

Greenhouse Gas Debit/Credit System

[0030] Returning to the question of GHG emissions, one way for governments to fund or encourage reduction of carbon emissions is the credit/debit system. Under this system, an industry can effectively pay for a license to emit greenhouse gases such as CO₂ into the atmosphere by purchasing a license/credit from a carbon reducing company/organization, or a company/organization that has been able to economically reduce their carbon emissions. Thus, an industry that is effectively able to reduce their carbon emissions will, as a whole, be able to derive additional income from those industries unable or unwilling to reduce carbon emissions. Alternately, carbon-reduction industries that act directly to reduce the amount of carbon in the atmosphere can become profitable based on the credits sold to industries unable or unwilling to reduce their atmospheric carbon output. Effectively, the money paid for these licenses is used to reduce carbon present in the atmosphere. 10031] For example, it has recently been reported that oil importers into Switzerland have voluntarily offered to donate between CHF 0.01-0.02 (the "Swiss climate penny") per liter of gasoline or diesel sold. This money, estimated to produce 70 MM CHF per year, will be spent on CO₂ mitigation or reduction projects (Anne Arquit Niederberger, "The Swiss Climate Penny: An innovative approach to transport sector emissions," Transport

Policy 12(4)303-313 (July 2005)).

Offset Projects

[0032] There are other means to reduce or counteract the emission of emission of carbon into the atmosphere. Included in these are planting trees (but care must be taken to offset the possibility of forest fires and the eventual steady-state cycle of growth and decay). Creation of wind farms and other non-polluting energy generators also reduce the level of carbon emissions per energy generated. Further, the energy demand can be reduced by investing in the insulation of public buildings, so that the energy consumption for heating or cooling those buildings is reduced.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0033] In one aspect, the invention features a method for providing to a consumer a statement of projected environmental impacts arising as a consequence of the consumer's purchases comprising the steps of providing a credit card to this consumer, obtaining merchant information regarding purchases made with this credit card, mining this merchant information for projected carbon dioxide emission, greenhouse gas (GHG) emission, or other environmental impact consequences of the credit card purchases, then providing to this consumer information regarding the amount of carbon dioxide emissions, GHG emissions, and/or other environmental impacts projected as a consequence of (1) any single purchase during this billing period, and (2) the aggregate of these purchases using this credit card and checks during this credit card billing period. [0034] In another aspect, the invention features a method for providing to a consumer a statement of projected environmental impacts arising as a consequence of the consumer's purchases comprising the steps of enrolling the customer in an Aligned Program, collecting data from their participation in a loyalty purchase program, aligned purchase program and/ or reward purchase program; registering the participating retailer, matching the consumer's purchases to the retailers' loyalty purchase program records, aligned purchase program records and reward purchase program customer records to the individual consumer, obtaining merchant information regarding purchases made by this consumer, mining this merchant information for projected carbon dioxide emissions, GHG emissions, or other environmental impact consequences of the credit card purchases, then providing to this consumer information regarding the amount of carbon dioxide emissions, GHG emissions, or other environmental impacts projected as a consequence of any single purchase during this billing period and (2) the aggregate of these purchases during this billing period.

[0035] In another aspect, the invention features a method for providing to a consumer a statement of projected environmental impacts arising as a consequence of the consumer's online purchases at an enrolled website comprising the steps of registering online the consumer, obtaining merchant information regarding the consumer's purchases made online, mining this merchant information for projected carbon dioxide emissions, GHG emissions, or other environmental impact consequences of the online purchases, then providing to this consumer information regarding the amount of carbon dioxide emissions, GHG emissions, or other environmental impacts projected as a consequence of (1 ) any single purchase during this billing period and (2) the aggregate of these purchases by the consumer online.

[0036] In another aspect, the invention features a method for providing to a consumer a statement of projected environmental impacts arising as a consequence of the consumer's purchases of specific products comprising the steps of registering the product, registering the consumer, by collecting data regarding these specific products from POSs, mining this product information for projected carbon dioxide emissions, GHG emission, or other environmental impact consequences of the such purchases, then providing to this consumer information regarding the amount of carbon dioxide emissions, GHG emissions, or other environmental impacts projected as a consequence of (1) any single purchase during this billing period and (2) the aggregate of these purchases during the billing period.

[0037] In yet another aspect, the invention features a method for providing to a consumer a statement of projected environmental impacts arising as a consequence of the consumer's use of MPMs comprising the steps of registering the consumer, by collecting data regarding the MPMs used by the consumer during a period of time, mining MPM for projected environmental impact, carbon dioxide emissions, or GHG emission consequences of such items, then providing to this consumer information regarding the amount of projected environmental impacts, carbon dioxide emissions, and/or GHG emissions, as a consequence of (1) any single purchase using a MPM during this billing period and (2) the aggregate of purchases using MPMs during the billing period. [0038] In some preferred embodiments of the above aspects, the above analysis to provide that provides information to the consumer can include, or consist primarily of, check purchases, or other purchases, made by the consumer. In some of these preferred embodiments, the check purchase information can be provided by the consumer, and in other preferred embodiments, the information for check purchases comes from directly from the consumer's bank. In some of these preferred embodiments, the above information provided to the above consumer is listed on a monthly credit card statement or similar report. In some of these preferred embodiments, the invention provides an online statement to the consumer. In some preferred embodiments of the above aspects, the monthly credit card statement contains a listing of the projected environmental impact of any of the purchases that is associated with an environmental impact. In some ^ preferred embodiments, the invention features providing a statement regarding GHG emissions, including CO₂ emissions. In some preferred embodiments, the invention provides reports regarding gasoline purchases, and/or purchases for a ticket for travel on an airplane, and/or a ticket for travel on a water craft and/oτ a ticket for travel on a bus and/or train.

[0039] In some preferred embodiments, the monthly statement provided to the consumer is available on the Internet or via an e-mail message, and allows the consumer to enter information from outside sources regarding the consumer's consumption of items purchased not using a MPM as described by the instant invention. The instant invention can then, if provided with sufficient information by the consumer, calculate the resultant environmental impact, including CO₂ and/or GHG emissions. In some of these embodiments, the consumer can use the MPM rebate/reward funds to compensate, and/or the consumer can direct that additional payments are to be made. [0040] In additional preferred embodiments of the above aspects, the invention features a method of allowing payment to be made as a consequence of the use of the credit card of the instant invention, a purchase in a loyalty program of the instant invention, a purchase in a reward program of the instant invention, a purchase made online using an MPM of the instant invention, or a purchase of specific products using an MPM of the instant invention. The payment is made to an organization that will use the funds to reduce the environmental impact of the purchase. In some of these preferred embodiments, the environmental impact will be reduced by reducing GHG emissions or the GHG levels in the atmosphere either by reducing future consumption of GHG generators, preventing future emissions, and/or removing GHGs, e.g , CO2, from the atmosphere. In other preferred embodiments, the method features allowing the consumer to elect a payment to more fully or completely offset the projected GHG emissions by directing payment to an organization that will use the funds to reduce GHG levels or emissions in the atmosphere either by reducing future emissions from GHG generators, preventing future emissions, and/or capturing and removing atmospheric GHGs, e.g., CO2. [0041] In any of the above embodiments, the invention can analyze CO₂ emissions, GHG emissions, and/or other environmental impacts.

[0042] In another aspect, the invention features a data processing apparatus for providing a periodic statement to a consumer wherein this periodic credit card statement provides a record of projected environmental impact and/or GHG emissions as a consequence of said consumer's purchases using MPMs, where the apparatus comprises: a CPU and a memory operatively linked to said CPU; at least one terminal operatively linked to said CPU and said memory; said memory comprising a program capable of being executed by said CPU for:

(1) collecting merchant information from the consumer's MPMs, wherein said merchant information comprises Ll, 12, and L3 information or the equivalent;

(2) analyzing this merchant information for data concerning one or more purchases from this consumer that have projected environmental impacts or GHG emissions;

(3) analyzing this data for the quantifiable amount of projected environmental impacts or GHG emissions; (4) generating a report wherein this report contains:

(a) the correlation of each of these purchases with the projected environmental impacts or GHG emissions;

(b) the aggregate overall projected environmental impacts or GHG emissions of all purchases for that period. [0043] In some preferred embodiments, the above apparatus analyzes a gasoline purchase and/or a ticket for travel on an airplane and/or a ticket for travel on a water craft and/or a ticket for travel on a bus and/or a train. In some preferred embodiments, the above apparatus is capable of directing a payment to be made as a consequence of the use of the credit card to an organization that will use the funds to reduce GHG levels in the atmosphere either by reducing future consumption, preventing future emissions, removing GHGs, such as GO2, from of the atmosphere and/or otherwise mitigate the environmental impact. In other preferred embodiments, the above apparatus is capable of allowing said consumer to elect a further payment to more fully or completely offset the projected GHG emissions by directing payment to an organization that will use the funds to reduce GHG levels in the atmosphere either by reducing future consumption, preventing future emissions, capturing atmospheric CO2, and/or otherwise mitigate the environmental impact. [0044] In any of the above embodiments, the invention can analyze or offset CO₂ emissions, GHG emissions, and/or be expanded to include other environmental impacts. [0045] In other aspects, the invention features a method for providing to a consumer a statement of projected environment impacts or GHG emissions as a consequence of this consumer's purchases comprising:

(a) providing a credit card to this consumer,

(b) obtaining merchant information regarding purchases made with this credit card, (c) obtaining information for check purchases for this consumer,

(d) mining said information for projected environment impacts or GHG carbon dioxide emission consequences of this credit card and check purchases,

(e) providing to this consumer information regarding the amount of GHG emissions projected as a consequence of : (1) any single purchase during said billing period

(2) all purchases using said credit card and checks during said credit card billing period.

[0046] In still other aspects, the invention features a method for providing to a consumer a statement of projected environment impacts or GHG emissions as a consequence of this consumer's purchases comprising:

(a) registering the consumer in a loyalty purchase program or rewards purchase program,

(b) obtaining merchant information regarding purchases made within this loyalty program or rewards program,

(c) mining said information for projected environment impacts or GHG emission consequences of these purchases,

(d) providing to this consumer information regarding the amount of environment impacts or GHG emissions projected as a consequence of :

(1) any single purchase during this billing period

(2) all purchases within this reward program or loyalty program during the period of the bill.

[0047] In still further aspects, the invention features a method for providing to a consumer a statement of projected environment impacts or GHG emissions as a consequence of this consumer's purchases at an online website comprising: (a) registering the consumer, (b) registering the website, (c) obtaining merchant information regarding purchases made at this website by this consumer,

(d) mining said information for projected environment impacts or GHG emission consequences of these purchases, (e) providing to this consumer information regarding the amount of environment impacts or GHG emissions projected as a consequence of :

(1) any single purchase during this billing period

(2) all purchases at this website during the period of the bill.

[0048] In still further aspects, the invention features a method for providing to a consumer a statement of projected environment impacts or GHG emissions as a consequence of this consumer's purchases of registered products comprising:

(a) registering the consumer,

(b) registering the product,

(c) obtaining merchant information regarding purchases of the registered product by this consumer,

(d) mining said information for projected environment impacts or GHG emission consequences of these purchases,

(e) providing to this consumer information regarding the amount of environment impacts or GHG emissions projected as a consequence of : (1) any single purchase during this billing period

(2) all purchases of registered products during the period of the bill. [0049] In some preferred embodiments, the invention features analysis of a purchase wherein said purchase includes a gasoline purchase and/or a ticket for travel on an airline and/or a ticket for travel on a water craft and/or a ticket for travel on a bus/train. In other preferred embodiments, the invention features a payment being made as a consequence of the consumer's use of the credit card of the instant invention, use of checks using an MPM of the instant invention, use of the debit card of the instant invention, purchase under a loyalty purchase program of the instant invention, purchase under a reward purchase program of the instant invention, an online purchase at a registered website of the instant invention, or the purchase of a registered product as described herein to an organization that will use the funds to ameliorate the net projected environment impact and/or GHG emissions resulting from said consumer's credit card purchases. In other preferred embodiments, the invention features a payment being made said statement to completely offset the projected net environment impact and/or GHG emissions by directing payment to an organization that will use the funds to ameliorate the net projected environmental impact of said consumer's credit card purchases. [0050] In still other aspects, the invention features a data processing apparatus for providing a statement to a consumer wherein this statement provides a record of projected environmental impacts as a consequence of the consumer's purchases, comprising a CPU and a memory operatively linked to this CPU; at least one terminal operatively linked to this CPU and this memory; this memory comprising a program capable of being executed by this CPU for:

(1) collecting merchant information from credit card sales as in the instant invention, sales using checks using an MPM of the instant invention, debit card sales as in the instant invention, purchases under a loyalty purchase program of the instant invention, purchases under a reward purchase program of the instant invention, online purchases at a registered website of the instant invention, or purchases of a registered product as described herein for a consumer, wherein this merchant information comprises Ll, L2, and L3 information or the like;

(2) analyzing this merchant information for data concerning one or more purchases from this consumer that have projected environmental impacts;

(3) analyzing this data for the quantifiable amount of projected environmental impacts; [0051] (4) generating a report wherein this report contains (a) the correlation of these purchases with these projected environmental impact;

(b) the overall projected environmental impact of all purchases for that period. [0052] In some preferred embodiments, the apparatus analyzes environmental impacts wherein the environmental impact is GHG emissions. In other preferred embodiments, the purchase analyzed is a gasoline purchase and/or a ticket for travel on an airplane and/or a ticket for travel on a water craft and/or a ticket for travel on a bus and/or train.

In still other preferred embodiments, the apparatus is capable of making a payment as a consequence of the use of a credit card of the instant invention, the purchase within a loyalty purchase program of the instant invention, the purchase within a reward purchase program of the instant invention, the purchase at a registered online website of the instant invention, to an organization that will use the funds to ameliorate the net projected environmental impact of this consumer's credit card purchases. In further preferred embodiments, the apparatus is capable of allowing this consumer to elect a payment on this statement to completely offset the projected net environmental impact by directing payment to an organization that will use the funds to ameliorate the net projected environmental impact of this consumer's credit card purchases. [0053] In one preferred embodiment of any of the above aspects, the statement, or a draft statement, is provided to the consumer on a secure website or via a secure e-mail message. In this preferred embodiment, the consumer may enter in purchases made by means which are not able to be monitored during the generation of the online statement. Thus, if the consumer buys gas using cash, or an alternate means of payment, the consumer can enter this information, or an approximation of this information, into the statement. The instant invention will then calculate the environmental footprint, GHG footprint, or CO₂ footprint, and use the funds available to this consumer to mitigate this footprint [0054] Thus, a consumer using a credit card operated along the guidelines of the instant invention, can supplement the merchant information that is processed automatically, by adding more information that is not otherwise available to the instant invention for calculation. Therefore, a consumer uses the credit card of the instant invention, or the MPM of the instant invention, to monitor his/her/their projected environmental impacts, GHG emissions, or CO₂ emissions.

[0055] In an additional aspect, the invention features a method for advertising any one or all of the above aspects and embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0056] Figure 1 : Figure 1 depicts a sample credit card which might be used in the instant invention. [0057] Figure 2: Figure 2 is a simplified depiction of the data flow occurring after a credit card purchase. Information from the merchant is passed to the gateway and onto the acquiring bank. The issuing bank pays the acquiring bank and sends a monthly statement to the consumer including this charge as part of all the purchases made this month. [0058] Figure 3: Figure 3 depicts the location of the software used in the instant invention. The software or apparatus of the instant invention resides alongside, and interfaces with, the issuing bank's software that currently performs the routine processing of credit card transactions. The software or apparatus of the instant invention analyzes the L3 data for each transaction and calculates the environmental impact. [0059] Figure 4: Figure 4 represents a simplified overview of the software and its use required to process the information required to generate the monthly statement at the issuing bank. [0060] Figure 5: Figure 5 represents a simplified overview of the instant invention's processing of information at the issuing bank for generating the monthly statement that calculates the environmental impact of purchases made. In some embodiments, the environmental impact focuses on the GHG emissions. [0061] Figure 6: Figure 6 represents of the type of data associated with each level of information available following a credit card purchase. This information can be used to calculate the environmental impact of purchases. Of particular interest to this analysis will be the entries for "Item Description," "Item Quantity," and "Item Unit of Measure," but the analysis may include other entries. [0062] Figure 7: Figure 7 depicts a representative chart indicating the variety of environmental impacts that may be monitored by the instant invention. Note that these impacts may occur during resource acquisition, manufacture, transportation, marketing and/or sales. Also note that some of these environmental impacts are not amenable to offset; nevertheless, an individual consumer may be interested in the environmental. impacts of their purchases.

[0063] Not only the acquisition of the item itself may be analyzed, but also the manufacturing, transportation, and packaging.

[0064] Figure 8: Figure 8 represents the L3 data present from a hypothetical gasoline purchase. [0065] Figure 9: Figure 9 depicts a sample calculation of CO₂ emissions of a gasoline purchase.

[0066] Figure 10: Represents the L3 data present from an airplane ticket purchase.

[0067] Figure 11 : Represents a sample calculation Of CO₂ emissions of an airplane trip.

[0068] Figure 12: Figure 12 depicts a non-limiting example of a page of a sample credit card statement that would be generated by the operation of the instant invention. This is just one page of the credit card statement; it need not be the first page of a credit card statement. The pages of the credit card statement generated by the instant invention may be arrayed in any order. Additionally, the information may be organized and presented to the consumer in a different format on different pages, or in a different manner. Additionally, the monthly statement may be presented without pages as an Internet website or as an e-mailed statement.

[0069] Figure 13: Figure 13 depicts a non-limiting example of an additional page of an online statement of a sample credit card statement that would be generated through the operation of the instant invention. Although it is referred to herein as the second page, this is meant to be a non-limiting example and it need not be the actual second page of a credit card statement. The pages of the credit card statement generated by the instant invention may be arrayed in any order. Additionally, the information may be organized and presented to the consumer in a different format on different pages, or in a different manner. Additionally, the monthly statement may be presented without pages as in an Internet website or as an e-mailed statement

[0070] Figure 14: Figure 14 is a simplified depiction of the data flow occurring after a retail purchase. Information from the merchant is passed to the matching program gateway and to the operator. The retail merchant pays the operator and the operator sends a statement to the consumer including this purchase as part of all the purchases made this month.

[0071] Figure 14: Figure 14 is a simplified depiction of the data flow occurring after a retail purchase. Information from the merchant is passed to the matching program gateway and to the operator. The retail merchant pays the operator and the operator sends a statement to the consumer including this purchase as part of all the purchases made this month. [0072] Figure 15: Figure 15 is a simplified depiction of the data flow occurring after an online retail purchase. Information from the merchant is matched to the consumer using a cookie or resident program and passed on to the operator. The online merchant pays the operator and the operator sends a statement to the consumer including this purchase as part of all the purchases made this month.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Individuals' Environmental Impact

[0073] This invention relates to providing to an individual consumer information to understand and mitigate the environmental impact caused by their daily activities. For example, the invention gives an individual the information to assess their contribution to climate change through greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. In addition, the invention gives them the ability to conveniently mitigate their impact climate change by directing funds towards several options for offsetting their impact on climate change. Thus the instant invention provides a means for an individual consumer to address the two questions posed above: What am I responsible for? and What can I do?.

[0074] For an individual consumer, it may be difficult answer the first question by finding a means for calculating carbon dioxide emissions based on that individual's activities. Although some means exist to make these calculations, e.g., through. the Internet, it is inconvenient to perform and the carbon calculators frequently involve requests for numbers not readily available or requiring work to obtain. For example, one Internet site requests the size of the engine in the car driven, the numbers of miles per week driven, and the quarterly gas and electric bill (see, e.g., websites for National Energy Foundation (U.K.), Best Foot Forward, Climate Safe.net, and Climate Care.org). Many individuals are not able to instantly recall- any of these figures. For example, many consumers in the U.S. drive more than one car/truck, and few people attempt to keep track of how many miles they drive in a week, let alone the size of their electric bill over a three-month period.

[0075] The second question also is difficult or inconvenient to answer. If is hard to find means of funding practical solutions for reducing global warming that are convenient. This invention not only makes it extremely easy, but also offers the option of automatically mitigating part or all of an individual's contribution to climate change. [0076J The instant invention is an innovative and practical solution for answering these questions. By analyzing consumer purchases and determining the environmental impact in general, and the greenhouse gas emissions in particular, of each purchasing decision, the individual's contribution to global warming can be determined accurately. For example, the instant invention will analyze a gasoline purchase to determine how many pounds of carbon dioxide will be generated upon combustion of the purchased gasoline. Another example is to determine the carbon dioxide emissions resulting from an airplane trip by analyzing the amount of fuel used by the airplane and the number of passengers flying. Further, the cash-back/rebate portion of the consumer's credit card bill can be automatically directed to offsetting the carbon dioxide emissions.

Purchasing Method

[0077] The instant invention relates to a variety of Minable Purchasing Methods (MPMs) that can analyze the goods and services consumed by an individual, a- group, or a company. The purchasing method includes purchases made: (1) using credit cards, (2) using debit cards, (3) using checks, (4) under the terms of a loyalty purchase program, (5) , under the terms of a reward purchase program, (6) online using an identifying cookie or program resident on the purchaser's computer system, and of specific goods and services identified through their UPC code or their registration in a central database of goods and services.

Credit Card Analysis

[0078] The instant invention analyzes the goods and services consumed by an individual or a group holder of a credit card or the use of an MPM. By initially focusing on the use of an MPM as a window to the individual's consumption of goods and services, it is able to accurately gauge the individual's environmental impact. The credit card or MPM system of the instant invention provides the consumer a quick and easy means of accounting for the environmental impact and/or GHG emission consequences of purchases made using the card or MPM. It also gives the credit card or MPM user a direct means to compensate or offset their emissions by directing the reward portion of their card or MPM transaction fee, and optionally an additional amount, to a charity or business that works to reduce the environmental impact of the purchases such as offsetting or sequestering atmospheric GHGs such as CO2. [0079] The instant invention provides the user of the credit card or MPM as described by the instant invention with a rapid reminder as to the impact of her/his/their purchases on environmental impacts such as carbon accumulation and global warming. Further, the instant invention provides the credit card user with a rapid and convenient method to immediately offset the carbon emissions that took place due to his/her/their activities.

Means to Mitigate Environmental Impact

[0080] Once the environmental impact of an individual is calculated, the next step is to compensate or mitigate or even reduce it. There are multitudes of ways to reduce the output of GHGs and/or carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Some can be done by anyone individually, such as driving hybrid cars, electric cars, using public transportation or even just driving smaller cars. Other means are less apparent and include offsetting actions that are difficult to do individually. Among these are planting trees and ensuring their longevity; installing solar collectors; installing wind-turbines for generating electricity; seeding algae in abandoned mines; stimulating algae growth in oceans; reducing an energy producer's pollution by retiring their options to emit GHGs and/or

CO2, and reducing public agency energy consumption, e.g., by insulating school buildings.

[0081] By driving less, a single person can reduce the amount of gasoline burned, and hence the amount of carbon dioxide pumped into the atmosphere. But given that the average US consumer is often unable to reduce their dependence on the car as a means of transportation, some of these consumers might be motivated to mitigate their impact of the carbon-dioxide driven atmospheric warming. [0082] Further, it is difficult to connect the desire of individual to counteract global warming with the wide variety of options available. Although it may be readily easy to place a donation to plant trees, it is difficult to find and fund potentially more effective means of reducing carbon emissions. [0083] The instant invention provides a convenient and rapid means for an individual to keep track of their carbon emissions. In preferred embodiments, two major sources, gasoline purchases and airline travel, are singled out for tracking; this takes advantage of the tendency of many consumers to use their credit card or other MPMs to pay for gasoline and airline tickets. [0084] Further, in other preferred embodiments, the instant invention can be used to monitor other environmental, ecological or social impacts of an individual's purchases.

A Credit Card Transaction; Receiving Data

[0085] In preferred embodiments, the instant invention issues a credit card to a user wherein the user utilizes the credit card as it is normally used in commerce (see, e.g., Figure 2). [0086] With reference to Fig. 3, when a consumer presents a credit card to a retailer

(merchant) for purchasing goods or services; the retailer places a charge against the card by swiping it at a point-of-service (POS) terminal 301. The credit card and transaction amount are verified at the gateway 302 by the credit card system (e.g. the American Express system or the MasterCard system), by the acquiring bank (where the merchant keeps their account, e.g., ^"Wells Fargo™), and by the issuing bank (which issued the card to the consumer, e.g., Citibank). Subsequent to the transaction's approval, the actual transaction data is sent from the POS. The Ll, UZ, and L3 information is sent to the acquiring bank which collects all the transactions to determine how much to pay the merchant along with the accompanying data 303 and sends each transaction with data to the bank that issued the card for that transaction. The issuing bank collects all the transactions for each card 304. The data is mined for items of special interest to the card holder such as the amount of predicted carbon emissions as a result of the user's credit card purchases. The monthly statement created by the issuing bank is sent to the cardholder 305. [0087] As indicated in Figure 4, the software required to perform the instant invention is attached to the normal processing software at the issuing bank 401. The software will analyze the L3 data for each transaction and calculate the environmental impact. In a non-limiting example, it can determine the number of gallons of fuel purchased and calculate the predicted CO₂ emissions resulting from using that amount of fuel. As an additional non-limiting example, it can determine the flight details from an airline ticket 80

21

transaction and obtain data from the airline about actual fuel consumption and the number of passengers to calculate the greenhouse gas emissions from the flight. [0088] In preferred embodiments, the instant invention separately collects those purchases that result in an environmental impact; or in preferred embodiments, separately collects those purchases that have a substantial environmental impact. The instant invention then analyzes these transactions and accesses additional information to calculate the environmental impact. In preferred embodiments, for example, the instant invention calculates the expected carbon emissions based on the gasoline purchases made by the individual card user. -It bases this calculation on information on gasoline combustion stored in a database that may be accessed by the software utilized by the instant invention. In some preferred embodiments, the information on gasoline combustion is available on the Internet and the software utilized by the instant invention accesses it from the Internet. [0089] Thus, by obtaining the data directly from the merchant receipts, the instant invention does not need to resort to abstract concepts such as miles per week or annual expenditures on gasoline purchased at a variable price per gallon. In any given purchase, the actual number of gallons of gasoline purchased by the consumer are noted in the merchant's records and is used as the basis of the calculation. In other preferred embodiments, the octane number, blend, or manufacturer of the gasoline purchased may be used for even more precise calculations of the predicted carbon emissions.

[0090] Additionally, with regard to airline travel, the raw number of miles for the trip can be calculated based on known distances between airports. Then, using average fuel efficiency data for jet airplanes and approximating the number of passengers, the gallons per passenger and corresponding GHG emissions can be calculated. However, additional information from the merchant records and directly from the airlines is available, and may optionally be accessed. This information includes such things as the plane used, the actual amount of aviation fuel consumed and the actual number of passengers carried on the plane, which allows an accurate calculation of the gallons per passenger. In some preferred embodiments, estimating the time spent at various altitudes will allow for greater accuracy as to the effective amount of GHGs emitted corrected for the air pressure and temperature differences at that altitude.

[0091] As is apparent, individuals make transactions in the market place using different means of purchasing in addition to the credit card of the instant invention. Among these means are different credit cards, checks and cash. The instant invention also encompasses the means to input information from these purchases into the analysis of the instant invention. Further, the method of the instant invention may be applied to transactions mediated by other financial institutions, such as checking accounts in banks, to determine an individual's environmental impact.

A Credit Card Transaction; Analyzing Data

[0092] Figure 4 is a flow chart depicting the standard credit card billing procedures, i.e. the step depicted at Figs. 2 and 3 at 203 and 303, respectively: first, the issuing bank collects Ll, Ul and L3 data 401 from the acquiring banks, frequently via a clearing house. The collected transactions for the month are then consolidated using software known to those of skill in the art 409. Previous payments from the credit card holder 410 are brought into the calculation and used to calculate required payments, debts, fees, and finance charges 411. This information is used to generate the credit card's monthly statement 413. The statement is delivered to the credit card holder 414. In preferred embodiments, the statement is generated to report to the user of the instant invention via the Internet on a secure website 415. In other preferred embodiments, the statement is mailed to the user via a secure e-mail. [0093] Figure 6 depicts the flow of information in an embodiment of the instant invention. As noted above, the L3 data furnished by merchants to the downstream banks contains a great deal of information. At the start of the credit card billing process, Ll , Ul, and L3 information is forwarded to the issuing bank 501. Product and service information that will be used to calculate the environmental impact is extracted from each transaction 502; in preferred embodiments this information comes from L3 credit card information. The computer software required for instant invention will reside along the normal issuing bank software (see, e.g. Fig. 3 at 301). The software can analyze the data from credit card purchases, in preferred embodiments the L3 data, for each transaction and, in preferred embodiments, calculate the GHG emission impact 503. In other preferred embodiments, other aspects of the environmental impact of a given purchase is calculated.

Purchasing Method; Receiving Data

[0094] The invention calculates the GHG emissions in a slightly different way for purchases under each program, but the end result can be a projection of the amount of GHGs emitted during the entire lifecycle of the product - production, transport, wholesale, retail, and potentially the actual usage of the product. Lifecycle emissions are expressed in terms of their CO₂ -equivalent mass. The calculation methods for credit cards are as outlined above. For other individual types of MPMs₃ they are as follows: [0095] i) Online purchases:

(1) Receiving Data: Consumers shopping online using this purchasing method receive a unique identifier using a cookie or a resident program. At the completion of a transaction, the merchant and/or resident program provider reports detailed data on the transaction and shipping method to the operator of the instant invention.

(2) Analyzing Data: Purchases made with the purchasing method online are linked to merchant categories and, where possible, to specific products as described by UPC codes and SKU codes. The merchant categories and the specific product codes can be translated into GHG emission impact and other aspects of the environmental impact using software. Data on the shipping method may also be provided to the operator of the instant invention. The operator calculates the GHG emission and other ecological impacts of shipping as well using appropriate calculation software programs. [0096] ii> Store Retail purchases:

(1) Receiving Data: Purchases made with credit cards and debit cards registered with the loyalty purchase programs or reward purchase programs will be received by the operator of the instant invention in the same way as described in section on "Credit Card Transaction: Receiving Data" above, as well as through a computer program that matches the credit and/or debit card numbers with the merchant's records and the operator of the instant invention's records. Purchases made with a registered retailer loyalty purchase program card will be reported regularly by the merchant to the operator.

(2) Analyzing Data: GHG Emissions and other environmental impacts will be calculated using a computer program and data that calculates the environmental impacts or GHG emissions resulting from products sold by merchants. Where consumer purchases are broken down into specific products to the UPC/SKU-code level, a computer program uses a product-level database to calculate projected greenhouse gas emissions or other environmental impacts associated with the consumer's entire "shopping cart" for each visit to the merchant. [0097] iii^ Purchases of specific goods and services:

(1) Receiving Data: The operator of the instant invention routinely receives data from merchants selling commodities using a MPM. POS data will specify the UPC and/or SKU code of purchases made by consumers using the MPM. The merchant forwards the data for consumers to the operator of the instant invention. (2) Analyzing Data: The GHG emission and other environmental ecological impact of specific goods and services is analyzed in one of two ways:

(a) conversion factors based on Input/Output analysis and other data attributes GHG emissions to the physical purchase; and

(b) Product manufacturers and service providers provide detailed, specific data including UPC-code specific lifecycle assessments of the GHG emission/environmental impact of their products.

Data Obtained from Industry and Research Sources

[0098] To perform this calculation, information from outside sources is preferably used. Thus, in one preferred embodiment, the instant invention determines the number of gallons of fuel purchased and calculates the CO₂ emissions, GHG emissions and/or environmental impacts resulting from using that amount of fuel utilizing standardized information regarding the burning of gasoline in automobile engines 504. This information may optionally include calculations based on the blend, octane rating or manufacturer of the gasoline purchased. Optionally, the calculation can include modifications based on any or all of the following factors, the type of car or truck, the time of year, and the location (and hence average temperature) of the driving. [0099] In a second preferred embodiment, the instant invention determines any airline flight details from the L3 data (or Ll or L2 data) accompanying the ticket transaction and uses these details to calculate GHG emissions and/or CO₂ emissions 505. This calculation is based on information available in the credit card transaction record and includes the airplane flown and the length of the trip. The length of the trip affects both the gallons of aviation gas burned for the distance, but also the time-at-altitude of the trip which can effect both the amount of fuel burned and impacts the combustion chemistry. In preferred embodiments, the instant invention calculates the effect of the trip both in terms of producing CO2 and in terms altitude-driven differences in the effective production of GHGs. In preferred embodiments of this embodiment, the instant invention can further obtain data directly from the airline about actual fuel consumption on the flight used and number of passengers on that flight to calculate the per capita greenhouse gas emissions based on the precise flight.

[00100] In a third preferred embodiment, environmental impact data regarding the manufacture and offer for sale of product purchased is either obtained from the manufacturer or estimated 506. [001011 In a fourth preferred embodiment, environmental impact data from a service provider, for example, a hotel used by the consumer, is either obtained from the service provider and/or estimated 507.

[00102] In a fifth preferred embodiment, the user of the MPM, in this case a credit card may provide information regarding or access to her/his/their utility bills. The impact on the environment may be calculated based on the quantity of natural gas used, the quantity of water used and the (average) energy cost required to provide that water to the serviced address, and the environmental impact of the electricity consumed based on the mix of sources used to generate electricity for that particular serviced address 508. [00103] In an additional preferred embodiment, other purchases may result in environmental impacts; data may be introduced into the system to allow for the calculation of these environmental impacts. All of the above-listed embodiments may be used separately or together in the operation of the instant invention. [00104] All the transactions are consolidated 509. [00105] Previous payments from the credit card holder are accessed by the program 510.

This data is then fed into a card data processing program, examples of which are known to those of skill in the art, which calculates payments, debts, finance charges, and cash- back rewards (see, e.g., Fig. 4 at 411) to supplement the normal output with information regarding the GHG emission consequences (or environmental consequences) of each purchase or payment 511. Data from environmental, GHG or CO₂ offsetting program

512, and data regarding previous payments, environmental donations, and cash-back or credits is also introduced into the calculations for the monthly statement. This information is used to generate the credit card's monthly statement 513. The statement is delivered to the credit card holder 514. In preferred embodiments, the statement is generated to report to the user of the instant invention via the Internet on a secure website

515 or optionally by e-mail. The statement may be downloaded into accounting software 516. In further preferred embodiments, the Internet-accessible statement allows the credit card user to point-and-click to pay their monthly balance, to make additional contributions to offset GHG emission consequences of their purchases, or to select an automatic offset of GHG emission consequences, as explained further below.

[00106] In one embodiment of the instant invention, following analysis of the L3 data, the consumer is presented with a traditional line itemization of their credit card bill as depicted, a non-limiting example is depicted at Figure 12 1201. Although this is depicted as the first page of the bill, this is not meant to be limiting. The information presented need not be the actual first page of a credit card statement, the pages and/or information ' of the credit card statement generated by the instant invention may be arrayed in any order. Additionally, the information may be organized and presented to the consumer in a different format on different pages, or in a different manner. Further, the monthly statement may be presented without pages as on an Internet website or as an e-mailed statement.

[00107] Based on their purchases of gasoline and air travel, the consumer's calculated

GHG input into the atmosphere is listed in this example with the corresponding purchase 1202. In other embodiments, other aspects of the environmental impact based on L3 data accompanying a purchase are calculated. In additional preferred embodiments, other purchases expected to result in GHG emissions, such as propane or charcoal, are listed and analyzed.

A Credit Card Transaction; Billing and Offsetting Means

[00108] The cost to offset the GHG input is calculated and presented to the consumer in a CO₂ summary. This summary shows the:

(1) the total amount of GHG (CO2) generated 1203,

(2) the amount of dollars returned to the user of the MPM via the rebate/reward program

(may be approximately 1% of total charges) 1204 to be automatically directed to offsetting.

(3) the amount of GHG (CO2) that is offset by the incentive amount automatically 1205, and

(4) the amount of GHG (CO2) left to be offset (the carbon debt) 1206. [00109] Figure 13 is an exemplary second page to a credit card statement. In some preferred embodiments depicted in Fig. 13, the carbon emissions and offset are summarized 1301. A further selection is made available to the consumer at this point to provide additional funds to fully offset the GHG input 1302. In still other preferred embodiments, the consumer is provided with the option to toggle a setting to automatically contribute funds for a full offset 1303.

[00110] In other preferred embodiments, information about purchases with an environmental impact such as GHG emissions may be brought in from outside sources, such as a banking account. Such information may be brought in by the consumer, or may be automatically brought in via an interface with the bank. [00111] In preferred embodiments, the operator of the instant invention selects the means and/or vendors to offset the carbon emissions. In other preferred embodiments, the consumer may select the means and/or vendors to offset the carbon emissions. The user of the MPMs, in this case a credit card, of the instant invention may be allowed to chose from several options with regard to the offset: (1) location of the action (local v. global),

(2) type of project (wind power, planting trees, school insulation ), and/or (3) investment options (i.e., retiring permits on carbon exchange. [00112] In some preferred embodiments, the instant invention may feature an enhancement or additional feature to allow users of the MPMs, in this case a credit card, to take action (such as using public transportation, buying greener and energy efficient products, or planting a tree) to reduce their GHG (CO2) debt 1304. The user can then enter this information into the calculations performed to generate the monthly statement to generate credit against their GHG emissions (or environmental impact). In some preferred embodiments, this entry takes place via the Internet. [00113] In some preferred embodiments, the consumer's performance can be compared:

(1) to their own past performance, e.g., last year, to indicate their progress, if any, in reducing emissions, (2) to others' performance using the credit card of the instant invention, and (3) to others' performance in their country or state of residence, e.g., the U.S.A. 1305. Other comparisons may optionally be made. [00114] Thus, to the individual consumer/user of the MPMs, in this case a credit card, the instant invention produces verifiable net carbon or GHG emissions based on the acquisition of purchase data including transaction types and preferences and compare the change in such emissions with respect to time. It provides an integrated solution linking customer data to sourcing for GHG emission reduction. Further, over time, emission credit acquisition costs can be reduced, thus allowing more effective reduction of GHG emissions. Such an analysis may also be extended to other forms of environmental impact.

Commercial Application As in the Credit Card Industry [00115] In one aspect, the instant invention provides for a business and method for providing individual users the credit cards of the instant invention. In preferred embodiments of the instant invention, the operator issues credit cards to a multiplicity of consumers and collects data regarding their purchases using these credit cards. In preferred embodiments, the operator of the instant invention then mines the collected purchase information for purchases of materials and services associated with carbon emissions or GHG emissions. In many preferred embodiments, these materials and services include gasoline purchases and/or airline travel purchases. [00116] . The operator then individually distributes the monthly bills to each credit card user, and includes in this bill information regarding projected carbon emissions as a result of the credit card user's purchase.

[00117] In another aspect, the instant invention provides for a business and method for providing individual users other MPMs of the instant invention. In preferred embodiments, the operator of the instant invention enrolls consumers, groups, companies, and/or others and collects data regarding their purchases using the MPMs. In preferred embodiments, the operator of the instant invention then mines the collected purchase information for purchases of materials and services associated with carbon dioxide emissions or GHG emissions or other environmental impacts. In some preferred embodiments, these materials and services include gasoline purchases and/or airline travel purchases. [00118] The operator then individually distributes monthly statements to each user of the

MPM, and includes in this statement information regarding projected carbon emissions, GHG emissions, and/or other environmental impacts as a result of the user's purchases.

[00119] In embodiments of the instant invention, the operator also collects and stores in a database the overall record of purchases both at an individual level and for all users of

MPMs such as a credit card monitored distributed by the operator. The operator may optionally use the overall information to compare an individual user both to other users of the instant MPM, e.g., a credit card, and to the individual user at different time periods. In one example, an individual user's carbon record could be compared to their carbon record in the same month one year earlier.

[00120] An operator of the instant invention may also sub-license the instant invention to a third-party. Non-limiting examples of such third parties include advocacy organizations such as the Sierra Club ^{I M}, Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), World Wildlife Fund (WWF™), Service Employees International Unions (SEIU™) and commercial partners such as Toyota™, Ford™, or even Ikea™ or Walmart™.

[00121] In some preferred embodiments, the MPM of the instant invention may be marketed independently. In other preferred embodiments, the MPM, such as a credit card may also be marketed in conjunction with another business partner. In some of these preferred embodiments, the credit card of the instant invention could be marketed with major non-profit brands, presumably one associated with environmental concerns. Non-limiting examples of such advocacy organizations include the Sierra Club™, Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC™), World Wildlife Fund (WWF™), and Service Employees International (SEIU™). Tn other preferred embodiments, the credit card of the instant invention may be partnered with commercial partners. Non-limiting examples of such organizations include Toyota™, Ford™, or even Ikea™ or Walmart™.

Other Uses of the Invention

[00122] Further, an organization and/or corporation may issue or enable the MPM of the instant invention as, e.g., a corporate credit card, so that the organization and/or corporation may monitor and offset their environmental impact.

[00123] Individuals make transactions in the market place using different means of purchasing in addition to a credit card as discussed herein. Among these means are different credit cards, checks and cash. The instant invention also encompasses the methods to analyze transactions in other financial institutions to determine a individual's environmental impact.

Definitions: [00124] As used herein, the term "consumer" refers to an individual, a group, a corporation, a government, or a non-governmental agency.

[00125] As used herein, the term "purchasing method" refers to a method of purchasing goods or services by an individual, a group, or a company including some or all of the following methods: (1) with credit cards, (2) with debit cards, (3) in stores using a loyalty purchase program or a rewards purchase program along with an associated identification number, (4) online using an identifying cookie or program resident on the purchaser's computer system, and of specific goods and services identified through their XJPC code or their registration in a central database of goods and services. Many of these purchasing methods require the assistance of a merchant.

[00126] As used herein, the term "mining" refers to extracting data from the Ll , L2, and

L3 levels of information available after a credit card transaction to determine the environmental impact of the purchase. [00127] As used herein, the term "minable purchase method" or "MPM" includes a variety of methods whereby purchases can be made by a consumer where a computerized record can be readily generated of the transaction where the record includes a detailed description of the item and the quantity purchased. Individual methods include (1) credit card sales, (2) loyalty program sales, (3) reward program sales, (4) aligned program sales, (5) online sales at an enrolled website, and (6) sales of a registered product, Ih certain preferred embodiments of the instant invention, the term "MPM" can include all of the above listed methods, or any individual one of the above listed methods, or any combination of the above listed methods. Thus, the term "MPM" may include all six of the above methods, any five of the six, any four of the six, any three of the six, any two of the six, or any one of the six. In certain preferred embodiments, the term "MPM" may include methods selected from the list consisting of credit card sales, loyalty program sales, reward program sales, aligned program sales, online sales at an enrolled website, and sales of a registered product, but exclude any individual method of the above list; thus credit card sales, loyalty program sales, reward program sales, aligned program sales, online sales at an enrolled website, or sales of a registered product may be individually excluded. Thus, the term "MPM" may include any or all of the six above methods, except that the term may define a set that excludes any five of the six, any four of the six, any three of the six, any two of the six, or any one of the six. ] As used herein, the term "carbon emission" refers to the carbon emissions that are expected, or projected, to result from a corresponding purchase. Thus, the "carbon emission" of a gasoline purchase will be how much carbon dioxide would be released in the atmosphere following total combustion of the purchased volume of gasoline calculated by the chemical arts using standard efficiencies of internal combustion engines. Similarly, the "carbon emission consequences" of an airline ticket is the expected mass of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere by the airplane and distance for which the ticket was issued. Also as used herein, the term "GHG consequences" refers to the greenhouse gas emissions that are expected to result from a corresponding purchase. Both in the case of carbon emissions and in the case of GHG emissions, the actual amount of gas released is not measured, but instead reliance is placed on the theoretical amount of gas released into the atmosphere if the purchased item was used as intended. Thus, the GHG emissions expected as a consequence of said consumer's purchases, or similar phrases, as used herein, refers to the approach where the amount of GHGs emitted as a result of combustion of purchased gasoline by a chemical analysis by one of ordinary skill in the chemical arts again using standard efficiencies of automobile or internal combustion engines. Said carbon emissions and/or GHG emissions being presented to the consumer in preferred embodiments as the mass of carbon emitted into the atmosphere. In other preferred embodiments the GHG emissions are presented to the consumer as the amount of carbon-equivalents released into the atmosphere, especially where the purchase's GHG consequences do not directly result in the release of carbon dioxide. For the purposes of the description of the instant invention the terms "carbon dioxide," "CO2," and "CO₂" are used interchangeably.

[00129] As used herein, the term "greenhouse gas" or "GHG" refers to gases that contribute to the greenhouse effect of trapping additional solar energy in the earth contributing to a rise in global temperatures. Such GHGs include especially CO2, but also include methane, NO2, CFCs as well as other gases.

[00130] As used herein, the terms "carbon record" or "carbon footprint" refer to the carbon emissions, or carbon dioxide emissions, resulting from credit card purchases. In preferred embodiments, the term refers to overall purchases made in a defined time period, e.g., one month, and recorded in a database. The term "carbon content" refers to the amount of CO2 embodied in the product or service.

{00131] As used herein, the term "e/i credit card" refers to a credit card issued and operated by the operator of the instant invention with the name of monitoring the environmental impact, GHG emission and/or CO₂ emission consequences of the purchases made with the credit card. The term "e/i MPM" refers to the same concept with regard to a MPM.

[00132] As used herein, the term "statement" refers to a summary of the purchases made via MPMs plus any purchases added by the consumer where the statement is preferably provided in an online format, such as via the Internet or via e-mail. Thus, the consumer may add information to the statement and select choices regarding the amount and destinations of payments. A statement also may refer to a traditional paper statement such as a monthly credit card bill.

[00133] As used herein the term "octane rating" refers to the stated percentage of isooctane mixed with n-heptane in gasoline sold by filling stations; it also refers to gasoline that has the same resistance to knocking (by virtue of other ingredients) as gas made from the stated percentage of isooctane and heptane. Thus, gasoline sold as 91 octane may comprise less than 91% octane, as well it has the resistance to knocking as gas composed of 91% octane and 9% n-heptane. Also, the methods and results of determining this rating can vary with summer and winter ratings and also with the government that establishes the rating is calculated (e.g., United States versus Europe).

[00134] In a related term, the "blend" of a gasoline may also be used to calculate the carbon emissions. In certain embodiments, the blend refers to the amount of ethanol present in the gasoline.

[00135] The terms "ecological impacts" and "environmental impacts" as used herein, includes GHG emissions, including carbon emissions. The term also includes any impact on the environment that can be calculated, however, in most if not all embodiments of the instant invention, the environmental impact is generally an adverse impact and thus suggests the need for mitigation, repair or reversal. Thus, if the consumer uses the MPM to purchase household batteries, the impact of the manufacturing process in terms of energy and resources used, chemicals used and disposed, the impact of the packaging, as well as the impact of the mercury (if any) present inside the battery can be calculated. Similarly, if the MPM is used to buy a cotton shirt, the resources used to grow the cotton - the water, energy, pesticides, fertilizers - the energy and chemicals used to manufacture and dye the cloth and the energy and resources (human and machine) to distribute the product can be calculated. Similarly, purchase of food items using the card can be analyzed showing the difference in the environmental impact of conventional agriculture versus organic locally grown food. Thus, in some embodiments, the invention may include environmental impacts other than GHG emissions. In preferred embodiments of the instant invention, the following list provides a non-limiting list of variables that may be monitored to determine an individual's impact on the environment: electricity generation by hydroelectric power, coal, natural gas, nuclear, wind power, solar power, geothermal power; individual transportation fuel provided by natural gas, propane/lpg, diesel, and or petrol/gasoline; water consumed is normal or grey/reclaimed; resources used include iron, aluminum, copper, lead, gold, silver, mercury, other metals, wood, cotton, organic cotton, other fibers, plywood, foodstuffs; chemicals used: benzene, formaldehyde, chlorine, PFOs, PCBs, synthetic dyes; gas emissions include carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, sulphur hexafluoride, HFCs, PFCs; and waste includes sewage, garbage, recycled glass, recycled aluminum, recycled paper, and recycled plastics. An approximately calculation or estimation of the overall impact may be referred to a "environmental impact footprint" or "environmental footprint."

[00136J In certain embodiments of the instant invention these terms, "ecological impacts" and "environmental impacts," may also encompass social impacts such production under a fair trade-type agreement, living wages paid to all people along the manufacturing and supply chain, community impact and/or use of child labor. [00137] As used herein, the term "offset" refers to compensating for the amount of GHG and/or carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere by either reducing a future release of GHG and/or carbon dioxide, or by providing a process by which net GHG and/or carbon dioxide is removed from the atmosphere. Among the ways to reduce future releases include, but are not limited to, retiring a polluter's options to emit CO2, providing for increased use of less-polluting automobiles, installing solar collectors, installing wind- turbines for generating electricity, and reducing public agency energy consumption, e.g., by insulating school buildings. Among the ways by which net carbon dioxide is removed from the atmosphere include, but are not limited to, planting trees and ensuring their longevity; seeding algae in abandoned mines; and stimulating algae growth in oceans. Similary, the environmental footprint may also be offset for impacts other than GHG emissions.

[00138] As used herein, the terms "rebate," "rebate/reward," "reward/rebate," and in some cases, "reward," refer to, for example, the cash or value returned to the consumer for the consumer's use of the credit card, or other MPM in a reward/rebate program, as discussed above.

[00139] As used herein, the term "Aligned Program" refers to an organization formed by people or organizations around a shared interest. Thus, a political party may be an aligned program, or the Sierra Club can be an "aligned program." In preferred embodiments of the instant invention, an aligned program frequently consists of a group of people or organizations desiring to reduce or mitigate humanity's environmental impact, especially as relates to the increase in atmospheric GHGs and.or CO2. Such an aligned program might have as a primary purpose addressing these concerns by participating in the methods of the instant invention by using MPM as described herein. As the term is used herein, "affinity group" has a meaning similar to that of "aligned program," in other words, a group of people or organizations sharing a common interest banding together to take steps to further that common interest.

EXAMPLES

Example 1 [00140] In Figure 8 is a representative sampling of L3 data from a gasoline purchase in

California in the San Francisco Bay area. The vendor, Costco, and the total amount of the purchase are indicated in the first two lines with the date indicated on the third line. As discussed above, the date of the gasoline purchase maybe used, in some preferred embodiments, to fine-tune the calculation of GHG emission or CO₂ emission based on the average temperature of the month, either predicted or actual. Tax information is also found in the L3 data. The instant invention is primarily concerned with the line items marked "Item Product Code," "Item Description," and the "Item Quantity." Based on the amount of gasoline purchased, with the expectation that it will be used in an automobile engine, the amount of CO₂ exhausted into the atmosphere may be calculated. [00141] Figure 9 represents a flow chart indicating how this data is processed as part of the normal data processing for a credit card statement and bill. The L3 data for the gasoline purchase is accessed at 901. The cost and gasoline volume is extracted 902. The cost is used for preparing the billing statement, and the volume is used to calculate the amount Of CO₂ emitted 904; in this example, 326.74 lbs CO₂ emitted. The number used for conversion, 19.55, is known to one of skill in the art, and is obtained from a database associated with the software used by the instant invention or is obtained over the Internet 903. A straightforward calculation of 16.7 gallons, or roughly 133.7 pounds, if the gasoline was pure n-octane, it would emit approximately 405.7 pounds of CO₂ emitted using routine chemical stoichiometry principles.

Example 2

[00142] In Figure 10 is a representative sampling of L3 data from a airline ticket purchase for a trip from San Francisco to New York. The vendor, United Airlines, and the total amount of the purchase are indicated in the first two lines with the date indicated on the third line. Tax information is also found in the L3 data. The instant invention is primarily concerned with the line items marked "Item Product Code" and "Item Description." Based on the length of the flight, type of plane, the amount OfCO₂ exhausted into the atmosphere per passenger may be calculated. [00143] Figure 1 1 represents a flow chart indicating how this data is processed as part of the normal data processing for a credit card statement and bill. The L3 data for the airline ticket is accessed at 1101. The payment, airport, distance and flight information is extracted 1102. The cost is used for preparing the billing statement, and data selected from the set including, but not limited to, the gallons of fuel used, the gallons of expected to be used, the distance factor (determining the average altitude of the flight), and the number of passengers is used to calculate the amount OfCO₂ or GHG emitted 1103. In this example, the trip resulted in the emission of 4,356 lbs. of CO₂ emitted. The numbers used for the calculation are known to one of skill in the art, and/or are obtained from a database associated with the software used by the instant invention and/or is obtained 0 v er the Internet 1105.

Example 3

[00144] In Figure 14, a consumer registers an existing credit, debit, or loyalty card with the operator of the instant invention. The consumer then shops with a retailer that has also registered and agreed to participate with the operator of the instant invention. Data from the transaction (aggregate purchase price, or detailed product purchase information) is transmitted to a matching program (sometimes a third party). The instant invention calculates the greenhouse gas emissions or other environmental impacts associated with. the purchase(s). A statement is sent to the consumer. The merchant contributes money to offsetting the GHG emission-implications (or other environmental impacts) of the purchases.

Example 4

[00145] Tn Figure 15, a consumer shops online after registering with the operator of the instant invention. The consumer then shops with a retailer that has an online affiliate program. Data from the transaction (aggregate purchase price, or detailed product purchase information) is transmitted to a matching program (sometimes a third party). The instant invention calculates the greenhouse gas emissions associated with the purchase(s). A statement is sent to the consumer. The merchant sends the online affiliate marketing fee to the operator of the instant invention who contributes money to offsetting the GHG implications of the purchases.

Example S

[00146] The consumer obtains a monthly billing statement from a credit card operated according to embodiments of the instant invention either at a secure website or via an e- mail. The consumer enters product information regarding purchases the consumer made, supplying as much detail as is possible. The consumer submits this information to the operator. The operator then automatically calculates the environmental/GHG/Cθ2 footprint of the consumer-entered purchases and returns the information to the consumer, or, if the calculation is not possible, prompts the consumer for further information regarding the purchase. The consumer may then elect to allocate funds to mitigate the environmental/GHG/CC>₂ footprint of the purchase, either by using the rebate/reward available to the consumer or by using additional funds.

Example 6

[00147] ^"When the consumer allocates additional funds to mitigate the environmental/GHG/CO2 footprint, and elects at organization qualifying as a tax- deductible organization, the instant invention automatically informs the charitable organization and arranges for a receipt to be delivered to the consumer. [00148] The invention illustratively described herein can suitably be practiced in the absence of any element or elements, limitation or limitations that is not specifically disclosed herein. Thus, for example, the terms "comprising," "including," "containing," etc. shall be read expansively and without limitation. Additionally, the terms and expressions employed herein have been used as terms of description and not of limitation, and there is no intention in the use of such terms and expressions of excluding any equivalent of the invention shown or portion thereof, but it is recognized that various modifications are possible within the scope of the invention claimed. Thus, it should be understood that although the present invention has been specifically disclosed by preferred embodiments and optional features, modifications and variations of the inventions embodied herein disclosed can be readily made by those skilled in the art, and that such modifications and variations are considered to be within the scope of the inventions disclosed herein. The inventions have been described broadly and generically herein. Each of the narrower species and subgeneric groupings falling within the generic disclosure also form the part of these inventions. This includes within the generic description of each of the inventions a proviso or negative limitation that will allow removing any subject matter from the genus, regardless or whether or not the material to be removed was specifically recited. In addition, where features or aspects of an invention are described in terms of the Markush group, those schooled in the art will recognize that the invention is also thereby described in terms of any individual member or subgroup of members of the Markush group. Further, when a reference to an aspect of the invention lists a range of individual members, as for a non-limiting example, 'the letters A through F, inclusive,' it is intended to be equivalent to listing every member of the list individually, that is 'A, B, C, D, E and/or F,' and additionally it should be understood that every individual member may be excluded or included in the claim individually. Additionally, when a reference to an aspect of the invention lists a range of individual numbers, as for a non-limiting example, '0.25% to 0.35%, inclusive,' it is intended to be equivalent to listing every number in the range individually, and additionally it should be understood that any given number within the range may be included in the claim individually.

[00149] The steps depicted and/or used in methods herein may be performed in a different order than as depicted and/or stated. The steps are merely exemplary of the order these steps may occur. The steps may occur in any order that is desired such that it still performs the goals of the claimed invention. [00150] From the description of the invention herein, it is manifest that various equivalents can be used to implement the concepts of the present invention without departing from its scope. Moreover, while the invention has been described with specific reference to certain embodiments, a person of ordinary skill in the art would recognize that changes can be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention. The described embodiments are considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. It should also be understood that the invention is not limited to the particular embodiments described herein, but is capable of many equivalents, rearrangements, modifications, and substitutions without departing from the scope of the invention. Thus, additional embodiments are within the scope of the invention and within the following claims.

[00151] Any documents cited herein are to be considered incorporated by reference in their entirety, including any figures, tables and drawings.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A method for providing to a consumer a periodic statement of projected environmental impacts as a consequence of said consumer's purchases comprising:

(a) providing a credit card account to said consumer, (b) obtaining merchant information regarding purchases made with said credit card,

(c) allowing said consumer to enter additional purchase information into said statement,

(d) mining said information for projected environmental impact consequences of said credit card purchases,

(e) providing to said consumer information regarding the amount of projected environmental impacts as a consequence of :

(1) any single purchase using said credit card during a said period

(2) any purchases using said credit card during said period.

2. A method for providing to a consumer a statement of projected environmental impacts as a consequence of said consumer's purchases comprising:

(a) registering said consumer for a MPM₃

(b) obtaining merchant information regarding purchases made with said MPM,

(c) mining said information for projected environmental impacts of said MPM purchases,

(e) providing to said consumer information regarding the amount of projected environmental impacts as a consequence of:

(1) any single purchase using said MPM during a period

(2) any purchases using said MPM during said period.

3. A method for providing to a consumer a statement of projected environmental impacts as a consequence of said consumer's purchases comprising:

(a) registering said consumer for a MPM wherein said MPM is not a credit card,

(b) obtaining merchant information regarding purchases made with said MPM,

(1) any single purchase using said MPM during a period

(2) any purchases using said MPM during said period.

4. The method of claims 2 or 3 wherein information regarding some of said purchases is entered by said consumer.

5. The method of claims 1, 2, or 3 wherein said statement to said consumer is a monthly statement.

6. The method of claims 1, 2, or 3 wherein said statement comprises a listing of the projected environmental impact each of said purchases that is associated with environmental impacts.

7. The method of claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6 wherein said projected environmental impact is a GHG emission.

8. The methods of claim 1 , 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6 wherein said environmental impact is a projected CO₂ emission.

9. The method of claim 7 or 8 wherein said GHG emission or said CO₂ emission is calculated.

10. The method of any of claims 1 through 9 wherein one or more of said purchases is a gasoline purchase.

11. The method of any of claims 1 through 9 wherein one or more of said purchases is a ticket for travel on an airplane.

12. The method of any of claims 1 through 9 wherein one or more of said purchases is a ticket for travel on a water craft, a bus or a train.

13. The method of any of claims 1 through 9 wherein a payment is made, as a consequence of using said MPM, to an organization that will use said payment available to the consumer as a rebate to reduce GHG levels in the atmosphere either by reducing future consumption of GHG emitting products, preventing future GHG emissions, and/or removing GHGs from the atmosphere.

14. The method of any of claims 1 through 9 wherein said consumer may elect an additional payment to substantially offset the projected GHG emissions by directing payment to an organization that attempts to reduce GHG levels in the atmosphere either by reducing future consumption of GHG emitting products, preventing future GHG emissions, and/or removing GHGs from the atmosphere.

15. A data processing apparatus for providing a MPM statement to a consumer wherein said MPM statement provides a record of projected environmental impacts as a consequence of said consumer's purchases, comprising a CPU and a memory operatively linked to said CPU; at least one terminal operatively linked to said CPU and said memory; said memory comprising a program capable of being executed by said CPU for: (1) receiving and collecting merchant information from MPM sales for a consumer, wherein said merchant information comprises Ll, L2, and L3 information from a credit card purchase or similar information;

(2) analyzing said merchant information for data concerning one or more purchases from said consumer that have projected environmental impacts;

(3) calculating from said data a quantifiable amount of projected environmental impacts;

(4) generating a report wherein said report contains:

(1) the correlation of each of said purchases with said projected environmental impacts during a period;

(2) the overall projected environmental impacts of all purchases for said period.

16. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein said apparatus will accept data entry from said consumer and calculate additional environmental impacts based on said date entry.

17. The apparatus of claim 15 or 16 wherein one of said purchases is a gasoline purchase.

18. The apparatus of claim 15 or 16 wherein one of said purchases is a ticket for travel on an airplane.

19. The apparatus of claim 15 or 16 wherein one of said purchases is a ticket for travel on a water craft, a bus, or a train.

20. The apparatus of claim 15 or 16 wherein said apparatus is capable of directing a payment to be made as a consequence of rebates available by using said MPM to an organization that will use said payment to ameliorate said environmental impacts.

21. The apparatus of claim 15 or 16 wherein said environmental impact is a GHG emission or a CO₂ emission.

22. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein said apparatus is capable of directing a payment to be made as a consequence of rebates available by using said MPM to an organization that will use said payment to reduce GHG levels in the atmosphere either by reducing future consumption, preventing future emissions, and or sequestering CO₂ from the atmosphere.

23. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein said apparatus is capable of allowing said consumer to elect a payment to completely offset projected GHG emissions by directing said payment to an organization that will use the funds to reduce GHG levels in the atmosphere either by reducing future consumption, preventing future emissions, and/or capturing and sequestering atmospheric CO2.

24. A method for advertising any one or all of claims 1 through 23, inclusive.