Problem: Article: Determine your priorities regarding what you hope to achieve by raising worms. While many types of worms can be used for different purposes - such as both composting and fishing bait - choose a specific type based on the main reason you’re raising worms. Furthermore, the climate in which you live is an important factor if you intend to raise worms outdoors.  Plan to sustain an environment that is moist and dark.  If climate allows, outdoors compost is the easiest and best form of a worm system. Know that you can also raise worms indoors if you live in a cold climate or do not have space outside. All earthworms eat organic matter and excrete high quality soil, red wigglers are simply the best choice for your home vermicomposting setup.  In part, their favorability has to do with compatibility - they prefer temperatures between 55 °F (13 °C) and 77 °F (25 °C), which is the temperature range humans also tend to prefer. In fact, in established vermicomposting beds, they can survive temperatures as low as 40 °F (4 °C) and as high as 100 °F (38 °C). Buy red wigglers online or from a local bait shop, as these worms are different from the nightcrawlers that live in your backyard.  Plan to keep red wigglers in proportion to the amount of organic waste you produce.  As a benchmark, one pound of red wigglers will eat a half a pound of food waste per day. Since red wigglers depend on a richer, denser feeding medium - such as organic waste - they will not leave an outdoor compost pile by burrowing into the standard soil below.  Red wigglers will grow to 3 inches (7.6 cm) to 4 inches (10.2 cm) inches, and can be used in either indoor or outdoor vermicomposting. They also reproduce very quickly. One worm can produce as many as 99 offspring in 11 weeks. Red wigglers also make a great food item for chickens, pet turtles, lizards, and aquarium fish. The European nightcrawler is a larger type of earthworm, known predominantly for thick skin, a longer lifespan on your fishing hook, and it’s ability to tolerate salt water.  In no uncertain terms, it has been argued to be the best bait worm there is.  European nightcrawlers can also tolerate temperatures as low as 40 °F (4 °C), but they do better in bedding temperatures between 68 °F (20 °C) and 80 °F (27 °C).  They will grow up to five inches long, and roughly 4x the thickness of a red wiggler. European nightcrawlers can also be used either indoors or outdoors. If you live in a warmer climate, such as the Southern U.S., African nightcrawlers may be ideal. This large tropical earthworm can tolerate higher temperatures, preferring bedding temperature from 70 °F (21 °C) to 90 °F (32 °C). It will not survive drops beneath 45 °F (7 °C) however.  The largest of the earthworms mentioned in this article, the African nightcrawler will produce a large amount of waste and breeds rapidly.  They can also be used as fishing bait. African nightcrawlers can be used in indoors or outdoors vermicomposting. If you’re looking for a type of worm to add directly to your yard or garden, Alabama jumpers are prized for their ability to survive in many different types of soil. Further, they are especially capable and willing to burrow to ground that is problematic for other earthworm species.  They do require, however, the addition of organic matter to the soil if you want their population to expand.  Before adding Alabama jumpers to your yard or garden, have leaves, hay, manure, decaying plants, or another type of organic waste tilled into the topsoil. Moisten the soil with a hose or watering can, and add the worms right before the sun sets, distributing them evenly and covering them lightly with the moistened soil.  If organic material is available, their numbers will rapidly increase. An earthworm population can actually double in size within 60 to 90 days, since earthworms are hermaphroditic and have quick gestation periods. Accordingly, an established earthworm colony will replenish its own population as long as you don't take too many out.  If you wish to remove worms to feed other pets or to improve your luck at the fishing hole, feel free to do so, but only take out the amount you need each time.  If you're only taking out a few worms at a time from a healthy colony, you do not need to make any additional effort to maintain the colony's size. Optimal conditions are required for particularly rapid population growth. Aside from maintaining as close to ideal temperatures within the bedding, you'll likely need to add additional food as the population increases.
Summary: Choose a type of worm based on purpose and climate. Raise red wigglers if your main priority is vermicomposting. Raise European nightcrawlers for the best worm fishing bait. Raise African nightcrawlers in warm climates. Raise Alabama jumpers to add to your yard or garden. Maintain an earthworm colony's size.

In one sentence, describe what the following article is about: The cost for carbon offsets varies greatly depending on the expense of the project as well as the general laws of supply and demand. You can expect to pay anywhere from $10 to $50 per metric ton of carbon dioxide emissions. Keep in mind that just because one offset is more expensive than another, that doesn't necessarily mean it's better quality. Do your research on the projects independently of price, then choose a high-quality offset that best fits your budget. You can't claim the benefit of your carbon offset until it is retired. Once the offset is retired, it cannot be resold to anyone else. Retirement indicates that the specific amount of carbon dioxide you purchased has in fact been reduced or eliminated. For smaller-scale transactions, you typically don't have to worry about retirement – retailers automatically retire the carbon offsets when they're purchased. However, in the case of a larger purchase of carbon offsets, it may take some time before retirement can take place. Once you've decided which carbon offset project you want to support, you typically can purchase your offset online using your credit card. Determine how many offsets you want to purchase and make sure the provider has that many available. Make sure you get a receipt for your purchase. In some countries, carbon offsets may be tax deductible. Airplanes contribute considerable global carbon emissions. Many airlines as well as travel agencies provide the opportunity for you to purchase an offset when you book a flight.  These offsets are calculated for you personally based on the environmental impact of the flight you're taking. If you purchase an offset through the airline, typically the cost for the offset is simply added to the price for your ticket. Particularly if you're buying carbon offsets for a small business, your customers will want to know that your business is socially and environmentally responsible. Avoid advertising carbon neutrality until your carbon offsets have been retired. You also might consider having your carbon neutrality certified by a third-party organization.
Summary:
Compare prices. Make sure your offset will be retired. Complete your transaction. Purchase additional carbon offsets when traveling by air. Advertise your business’s carbon neutrality.