Judging from other threads, carbon offset are all the rage. We're supposed to give them a chance to accomplish great things, even if they don't really reduce CO2 emissions. They're the best thing since French bread and everyone should be buying them. That's the impression I have.

But apparently it's fine for small companies to sell offsets to alleviate a sense of guilt. It's fine for someone to buy a piece of plastic at Whole Foods, the money going toward a carbon offset project. But GE can't encourage people to donate to carbon offset projects?

It is ridiculous... begging the American people to be more responsible, demanding that corporations be more responsible... but as soon as people start following your lead you laugh at them. Do you want Americans and corporations to change or not change?

It looks like you are afraid that people and institutions you despise -- perhaps for good reasons -- will actually move toward being more responsible. Are you worried you'll have nobody to rail against? Does your life depend on an enemy? Why can't you accept that you might actually be winning and applaud GE's efforts.

If someone can compensate for some of the harm done by flying by purchasing a carbon offset, why can someone compensate for some of the harm done by buying a GE product by buying an offset? And it is set up to happen almost automatically everytime the card is used! Seems like a good idea. Perhaps rather than condemn GE, try encouraging other companies, especially gasoline distributors, to do the same... a certain percentage of your purchase goes directly into an offset program.

You folks don't really want to save the planet... you just want to whine.

BP is supposedly embracing the environment. . .and planning to dump more toxins directly into Lake Michigan.  I bet they'd be happy to give you a gas credit card and donate 1% of you "debt" to them toward offsets for your gas habit too.

Actions count too.  Neither company is really putting its money where its mouth is.  But they'll be happy to use some of your money. . .

Yeah, call me jaded.  I've been around a while.  Nothing is really new.

"We must be the change we wish to see in the world." -- Mahatma Ghandi

"Consume more so you can save the environment."
"Get further into debt and save the planet."

Instead, perhaps we should all just donate 1% of what we spend on "carbon offsets."


"We must be the change we wish to see in the world." -- Mahatma Ghandi

I myself find perverse pleasure in using my "gas card" to purchase gas from one of the company's competitors and then pay the full bill every month. They lend me money to buy someone else's product and never collect interest.

Regarding your personal offset project... I did the math for my own project, a 2-acre prairie remnant preservation/restoration and found out all my effort, as far as a carbon offset is concerned, is worth no more than $10-20 per year. I think. I don't recall the exact number. Damned depressing, that number.

Anyway... the purchase of carbon offsets will never fund the amount of natural ecosystem restoration we so desparately need.

Good luck finding someone to pay for those trees. I'm not counting on anyone -- except family and close friends -- to help me.

Regarding your suggestion that we all donate 1% of what we spend -- or perhaps earn -- on "carbon offsets", I can pledge to do that right now. I'm investing much more than 1% of my income in my "yard"... that is, restoring a diverse mix of native plants suitable for the local fauna and able to survive in the local climate without fertilizer or, once established, more water than that provided by rain. I challenge everyone to do the same... if not around their home, then the nearest natural area.

I've seen energy challenges and carbon footprint challenges. Anyone want to sign up for a biodiversity challenge? I seem to be suggesting new websites and blog ideas regularly... sorry. But  if I found someone to set up a "biodiversity challenge" website or blog, would anyone out there be prepare to propose their own plan for action and give us monthly reports on their progress? Or just tell us what they are already doing? Could be a motivational support group!

Peace.

As Green Granny reminds us... "We must be the change we wish to see in the world." -- Mahatma Ghandi

And in case I've not said it before, your regular comments here at Grist are always intelligent and often inspiring.  I appreciate and enjoy your contributions to the discussions.  Thanks.

And you are right.  It really doesn't matter how or who convinces Joe Consumer to protect the environment.  And as much as I am annoyed by green-washing campaigns, they nevertheless do a lot to "advertise" the environment and make people aware.  Very few things are black and white or all or nothing. . .  And belly laughs (especially when we're finding humor in our own behavior) are good for the soul.

"We must be the change we wish to see in the world." -- Mahatma Ghandi

Greenwashing has reached new limits of absurdity.
And guess what your falling for it.
Carbon credits and carbon offsetting, another asinine, if not lethal way to avoid reality and perverse the truth.
Never mind someone's getting rich from it all, but not humanity.