<![CDATA[Grist - Comment Feed for A guide to offsetting your carbon emissions]]> Grist Comment Feed en Comment #1 by Toolsmith http://www.grist.org/article/gies2/ Tue, 10 Oct 2006 07:26:20 -0700 http://www.grist.org/article/gies2/1 Solar Electric Light Fund (SELF)

SELF is my favorite for personal carbon offsets (http://www.self.org/).  A microfinince organization that provides tiny loans for villagers to replace lung-damaging kerosine lamps with solar, SELF not only lets you offset your carbon but lets you save kids from respiratory illnesses.  And the carbon is permanently offset (unlike plans that plant trees, where the carbon is released when the tree dies and decomposes).

SELF has a Carbon Neutral Club with links to carbon calculators.

]]> Solar Electric Light Fund (SELF)

SELF is my favorite for personal carbon offsets (http://www.self.org/).  A microfinince organization that provides tiny loans for villagers to replace lung-damaging kerosine lamps with solar, SELF not only lets you offset your carbon but lets you save kids from respiratory illnesses.  And the carbon is permanently offset (unlike plans that plant trees, where the carbon is released when the tree dies and decomposes).

SELF has a Carbon Neutral Club with links to carbon calculators.

]]> Comment #2 by solarkismet http://www.grist.org/article/gies2/ Tue, 10 Oct 2006 07:45:59 -0700 http://www.grist.org/article/gies2/2 Green Pricing comparison

I did a quick analysis comparing my old electric utility's green pricing program to buying Terrapass offsets.  At 2 cents/kWh for wind energy, Xcel Energy was slightly more expensive on an equivalent basis than Terrapass.  But utility green pricing programs are generally more "local" than national carbon offset options.

]]> Green Pricing comparison

I did a quick analysis comparing my old electric utility's green pricing program to buying Terrapass offsets.  At 2 cents/kWh for wind energy, Xcel Energy was slightly more expensive on an equivalent basis than Terrapass.  But utility green pricing programs are generally more "local" than national carbon offset options.

]]> Comment #3 by jbosank http://www.grist.org/article/gies2/ Wed, 11 Oct 2006 00:37:55 -0700 http://www.grist.org/article/gies2/3 Finding reliable offsets

We kept hearing the same thing about shopping for offsets -- it can be hard to tell how much pollution is really being removed. So we put together a team of Environmental Defense and outside scientists, engineers, economists, and policy experts, led by our chief scientist Bill Chameides, and asked them to create a list of criteria for credible, high-quality offsets. Among other things, the offsets must be permanent, verifiable by a third party, and appropriately tracked so they cannot be sold multiple times.

Here's the list of offsets that met these criteria.  

]]> Finding reliable offsets

We kept hearing the same thing about shopping for offsets -- it can be hard to tell how much pollution is really being removed. So we put together a team of Environmental Defense and outside scientists, engineers, economists, and policy experts, led by our chief scientist Bill Chameides, and asked them to create a list of criteria for credible, high-quality offsets. Among other things, the offsets must be permanent, verifiable by a third party, and appropriately tracked so they cannot be sold multiple times.

Here's the list of offsets that met these criteria.  

]]> Comment #4 by klevy http://www.grist.org/article/gies2/ Wed, 11 Oct 2006 06:50:00 -0700 http://www.grist.org/article/gies2/4 Carbon offsetting through investments?

This might be a naive question, but is there any investment model for carbon offsetting?  In addition to the options mentioned in the article that involve buying off our guilt, is there another option that follows a more "free-market" model of investing in alternative energy companies?  If we believe in the future of energy efficiency, wouldn't it make more sense to invest in companies doing the right thing that need our support?  Can anyone suggest groups that do encourage this kind of approach?

]]> Carbon offsetting through investments?

This might be a naive question, but is there any investment model for carbon offsetting?  In addition to the options mentioned in the article that involve buying off our guilt, is there another option that follows a more "free-market" model of investing in alternative energy companies?  If we believe in the future of energy efficiency, wouldn't it make more sense to invest in companies doing the right thing that need our support?  Can anyone suggest groups that do encourage this kind of approach?

]]> Comment #5 by Greta http://www.grist.org/article/gies2/ Wed, 21 Feb 2007 07:33:19 -0800 http://www.grist.org/article/gies2/5 A heartfelt spank you...

[cross posted]

Last year, I decided to "GoZero" with the Conservation Fund, because they planted trees as a means to 'offset', which appealed to me.  Made the transaction online and received a thank you email.  Several days later, I received in the postal mail a thank you letter...or should I say a 'spank you'.

What?!!  I just paid them to plant trees and they're already cutting them down to send me a stupid piece of paper in a paper envelope, delivered by carbon-generating postal vehicle(s).  ...Did I mention that I made my transaction electronically.  Sheesh.

Needless to say, I have taken my carbon-offsetting ways elsewhere.  Took reader Toolsmith's recommendation, and this quarter gave to SELF...no, the organization, not myself.

]]> A heartfelt spank you...

[cross posted]

Last year, I decided to "GoZero" with the Conservation Fund, because they planted trees as a means to 'offset', which appealed to me.  Made the transaction online and received a thank you email.  Several days later, I received in the postal mail a thank you letter...or should I say a 'spank you'.

What?!!  I just paid them to plant trees and they're already cutting them down to send me a stupid piece of paper in a paper envelope, delivered by carbon-generating postal vehicle(s).  ...Did I mention that I made my transaction electronically.  Sheesh.

Needless to say, I have taken my carbon-offsetting ways elsewhere.  Took reader Toolsmith's recommendation, and this quarter gave to SELF...no, the organization, not myself.

]]> Comment #6 by Greta http://www.grist.org/article/gies2/ Sun, 25 Feb 2007 04:36:34 -0800 http://www.grist.org/article/gies2/6 Me too.

I would be interested to know of these, as well.  [I write that as if I have any money to invest.] When I have invested (such as in a 401K plan), I have chosen a Social Awareness Fund.  But, I would be more interested in a specifically "green" fund.  

Read a recent article (Grist?) about an investment group that specializes in 'social responsibility' companies, but don't recall mention of solely environmental technology investment.  Any references for us, Grist?

]]> Me too.

I would be interested to know of these, as well.  [I write that as if I have any money to invest.] When I have invested (such as in a 401K plan), I have chosen a Social Awareness Fund.  But, I would be more interested in a specifically "green" fund.  

Read a recent article (Grist?) about an investment group that specializes in 'social responsibility' companies, but don't recall mention of solely environmental technology investment.  Any references for us, Grist?

]]> Comment #7 by Our Carbon Nation http://www.grist.org/article/gies2/ Wed, 26 Sep 2007 20:35:43 -0700 http://www.grist.org/article/gies2/7 Comparing Offset Providers

There are so many issues surrounding Carbon Offseting.  Is planting trees the way to go or should you be investing in renewable energy.  Are profit making organisations ok or should you only give your money to non profit organisations...?  So many issues.  This is why we have launced a new website http://www.ourcarbonnation.com

Our site intends to provide a platform for these issues to be discussed with the providers.  Over 40 providers have signed up so far all providing detials to enable us to compile company profiles. Each profile contains details on price per metric tonne, administration costs and verification.  The site will be developed further over the coming months addressing issues that you raise.  So if have an opinion on offsetting one way or the other why not log on and put your comments to the providers.

linked text

]]> Comparing Offset Providers

There are so many issues surrounding Carbon Offseting.  Is planting trees the way to go or should you be investing in renewable energy.  Are profit making organisations ok or should you only give your money to non profit organisations...?  So many issues.  This is why we have launced a new website http://www.ourcarbonnation.com

Our site intends to provide a platform for these issues to be discussed with the providers.  Over 40 providers have signed up so far all providing detials to enable us to compile company profiles. Each profile contains details on price per metric tonne, administration costs and verification.  The site will be developed further over the coming months addressing issues that you raise.  So if have an opinion on offsetting one way or the other why not log on and put your comments to the providers.

linked text

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