Why do I have the feeling that the same tree a certain firm offered to plant for me at a cost, to offset my carbon footprint, has also been sold to many others?
2007-03-13 06:39:32 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Environment
...what?
2007-03-13 06:48:25 · answer #1 · answered by w00t 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Carbon off-setting is the modern equivalent of “indulgences” from the church.
In the past, if you did something a little bit sinful, you could pay the church to buy an indulgence to absolve yourself of your sin.
Today, if you do something that produces a bit of CO2, you can buy an indulgence, er, sorry, I mean a carbon off-set to absolve yourself of your extra carbon footprint.
Carbon off-setting is completely unregulated and may well be a total con.
Then again, a fool and their money are soon parted and there are a lot of stupid people out there.
Hmmmm….? That’s a good point actually. How do I get into this carbon off-setting business? I’m gonna make millions!!! :)
2007-03-13 07:40:07 · answer #2 · answered by amancalledchuda 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
humm ... that would probably be illegal but you're probably right (v sinical!). Might be best to plant a few yourself - check places like your local library for local conservation projects that you can volunteer at for a day planting trees or other good green activities. You will honestly have so much fun - I've done it a few times! Otherwise intrust your money with a trustworthy charity (look for a registered charity number) like the millenium forest, eg. check out http://www.cashel.org.uk/dedicate-a-tree.htm
Good for you for caring about your carbon footprint! xx
2007-03-13 08:00:07 · answer #3 · answered by Cathy :) 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I know it seems suspicious, doesn't it? Hopefully, they're honest enough not make a mockery of your good intentions. I suspect you have few options but to trust them, don't you? Is the firm a non-profit charity? In the USA, such charities must open their books to public scrutiny. If they're a publicly held for-profit organization, they most likely just took your money and laughed all the way to the bank.
2007-03-13 06:53:26 · answer #4 · answered by Diogenes 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
"Carbon offsets" are like buying names to stars, it's nonsense. If you want to reduce your carbon footprint, do something to actually reduce your carbon footprint. Buying "credits" and continuing your polluting lifestyle doesn't do the world much good.
2007-03-13 06:48:48 · answer #5 · answered by spencer_desmond 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Ask them for proof. Plant your own trees don't trust business that says they do this.
2007-03-13 06:58:05 · answer #6 · answered by ? 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋