Carbon Offsets for Concerned Travelers

[mountainannie]

I just purchased carbon offsets for the 1,000 pounds of carbon dioxide that my flight from the DR to Boston is going to put into the atomosphere. It cost me $7. They are going to send my a luggage tag. I feel much better about flying. You might too. Check it out at Carbon footprint calculator | TerraPass: fight global warming, reduce your carbon footprint

[badpiece33]

I'll spend the 7 dollars on a few Presidentes. Dont believe the hype on the global warming.

[Keith R]

Originally Posted by badpiece33

I'll spend the 7 dollars on a few Presidentes. Dont believe the hype on the global warming.

I don't spend it because I am leery of offset programs.

[mountainannie]

Originally Posted by Keith R

I don't spend it because I am leery of offset programs.

WOW
and I went to your link

I thought you were the top Greenie here

did you even go to the link that I posted?

so we ought to just talk talk talk about it?

but really be leary about any of the programs that are set up to do something?

[Keith R]

Originally Posted by mountainannie

WOW
and I went to your link

Which link are you referring to?

I thought you were the top Greenie here

I'm not sure what a "top Greenie" is, much less whether I qualify. But I am concerned about the environment, including global climate change. But just because I am concerned about the environment does not mean I have to leave aside any skepticism or not apply careful analysis and instead unquestionably embrace anything and everything calling itself "pro-environment," "environment-friendly," "green," "climate-friendly" or "climate-neutral."

did you even go to the link that I posted?

I don't have to. I am familiar with TerraPass -- and most of the carbon offset programs on the market, for that matter.

so we ought to just talk talk talk about it?

Did I say that?

but really be leary about any of the programs that are set up to do something?

I think if one spends time looking carefully at the issue of offsets, one finds that there are plenty of people with strong green credentials who are skeptical of them. The reasons are several, starting with the very premise: some argue that they are designed more to make people feel good and think that they're "doing something" than actually mitigate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in any meaningful fashion. Some (including George Manbiot) even have equated them with the Church's old practice of offering the purchase of "indulgences." I don't totally subscribe to that theory, although looking at some of the programs out there, I think maybe some indeed are designed more as feel-good measures that keep us from seriously examining our practices and behavior.

Beyond that, many programs are not transparent, accountable and/or additional (i.e., they support mitigation efforts that might not have occurred without the investment, thus actually add true offset). Some have loose criteria for what qualifies as an offset. And in some programs it has been found that the same offsets may be resold over and over.

Generally, my attitude is that offsets are better than doing nothing at all, but should not be an easy substitute for contemplating and changing behaviors that contribute to climate change, and they should be selected with the eye of a skeptical and careful consumer, researching particular programs first before putting money into them.

[pyratt]

Originally Posted by mountainannie

I just purchased carbon offsets for the 1,000 pounds of carbon dioxide that my flight from the DR to Boston is going to put into the atomosphere. It cost me $7. [/url]

When AL GORE reduces his carbon footprint by wrecking his mansion and stops flying in private jets, I might care.

No matter what we do, the earth will evolve as it has for billions of years...with or without us.

And so not to offend anyone who believes the Adam & Eve stories...that book ends with a lot of fire before the meek (undefined) inherit the earth....it says nothing about the earth being saved by us purchasing "carbon credits".

The undeveloped countries we shipped our manufacturing to from the U.S. wiped out your $7 in the 3.65 seconds they took making the luggage tag they are sending you. I'm sure the baggage handlers will love it.

[dms3611]

.....in all of my current "out-door" projects I am now concentrating on how I can get in on the "off-set scam" ....doing lots of research........GO AL !!!!!!! hahahahaha

[bob saunders]

Buying quality carbon offsets is better than doing nothing, but not much. Perhaps a company that has a proven record in clean energy like Green Mountain Energy.
Of course, you don't have to do nothing. You can drive less, use less electricity, and stop eating meat. These things will dramatically reduce your carbon footprint.
Annie what is your luggage tag made from?

[A.Hidalgo]

And in general just ignore commercials, you will end up consuming less junk which in turn is good for mother earth.

[mountainannie]

sorry i mentioned it