Carbon Offsets: The New Cure for Enviroguilt
Airlines from Virgin Blue to Quantas have been touting new ecofriendly programs under which passengers paralyzed by enviroguilt over all of those jet-fueled carbon dioxide emissions can pay an extra carbon offset fee for tickets. The money these passengers pay — sometimes as little as $1 — is supposed to go to renewable energy or unspecified green causes and therefore make airline travel carbon neutral.
Carbon offset fees may be new, but the underlying notion goes back to the Middle Ages, when the Catholic Church sold wealthy people indulgences to offset the spiritual cost of their sins and assure a place for them in heaven.
AlterNet: Environment: Carbon Offsets: The New Cure for Enviroguilt
Filed under: Uncategorized | Tagged: Business, Environment, Ethics, Mindfulness, Poverty, Values
this is far from the truth when it comes to carbon offsetting. TerraPass one of the largest offsetters did a study of their consumers. They found that the people that buy offsets are more likely to own solar power, bike to work, and monitor their thermostat. This is far from the Hummer Owner buying offsets, these are people who are doing everything they can and offset what they can’t.
It’s just one person’s opinion, Matt.
My own is that carbon-offsetting obscures the fact that the answer to global warming is the elimination of as much combustion as possible, world-wide, rather than mitigation. Carbon offsetting does nothing in that regard, and may fool people into thinking that they’re accomplishing more than they really are. However, as the writer clearly noted in the article, anything is better than nothing.
[...] airlines that do offer offsets to consumers should be applauded, but more effort should be made on taking a leading [...]
Very good point. Personally I look at carbon offsets as a way of “getting the rest” of the emission that you just cant eliminate. I think people need to do everything they can to eliminate their emissions first, then use offsetting to take care of the rest.
I don’t think that offsets “technically” make you carbon neutral, but if the fund do get put to the right types of projects, you really are making a difference.
I absolutely agree. My only problem with offsets is the illusion of having accomplished a reduction, rather than simply maintained the status quo. Personally, I’m waiting for the phrase “carbon negative” to be on the tip of everyone’s tongue. Although not entirely accurate, it’s the frame of mine I’d like to see fostered.