Carbon offsets 'harm environment'

[GliderGuider]

Carbon offsets 'harm environment'

The current trend for "offsetting" carbon emissions by planting trees is doing more harm to the environment than good, MPs have been told.

The public is being "seriously misled" by companies peddling carbon offset schemes, campaigner Jutta Kill told the environmental audit committee.

The schemes did not reduce emissions and simply gave industry a "licence to pollute" elsewhere, she argued.

People should give money directly to climate charities instead, she said.

Under carbon offsetting schemes, air passengers pay to fund tree planting and other environmental projects in developing countries.

The practice has become a badge of honour for politicians on all sides - amongst others - over the past year, as they compete to prove their green credentials.

I've always believed this. I am opposed to offsets and cap and trade systems. We need to see actual reductions in fossil fuel use instead, not this shell (oil) game.

[gravity]

1. Thats the problem with the whole global warming effort

Its all just empty political gestures, with no real effectiveness.

The problem is that no one wants to make the economic and lifestyle sacrifices to actually reduce emissions.

[Nihil]

2. I agree with the OP but not with you.

> The problem is that no one wants to make the economic and lifestyle sacrifices to actually
> reduce emissions.

That is incorrect.

The problem is that *not enough* people want to make these changes.
Many people have already done so.
Many people are desperately trying to persuade their neighbours to do the same.

It is those "many people" who we need to encourage, to praise for their efforts,
to raise as exemplars to the rest. If the ones who make the effort are simply
dismissed as "green nuts" or similar then even they will lose heart and that means
that the planet is fucked. No recovery. No minimal survival. No chance. Nothing.

We have to work this group attitude, this approach to the future such that there
will be a future for our children, for our grandchildren (or for the children of
those like thinkers if you are not disposed to raising children of your own).

If we start to accept your view as "real" then there is no point in trying any more,
no point in teaching our kids how to recognise different trees, birds, plants, as
we are all fucked in this generation - the *selfish* generation.

I have no personal gripe with you but I don't agree with that.

[GliderGuider]

3. Have you ever wondered why it's so hard to convince people of the need to act?

Here are my latest thoughts on that subject, prompted by a great article on The Oil Drum (linked from my page).

Why Do So Few People Seem to Care?

[Nihil]

4. Nice essay! (n/t)

:toast:

[Moby Grape]

5. how much do offsets, cost to generate?

there must be some typical cost to produce an offset