Carbon offsets: The feel-good movie of the year!
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Reader Ben writes:
Did you see the article in the NYT about buying carbon offsets to “atone” for emissions for flights, etc.? It’s something I may actually do this year as a karmic compromise for the international flights I take. What do you think about these offsets?
As the article indicates, there’s no consensus on whether offsets are a good thing or not. (Offsets are cash payments to a third party, which promises to plant trees or invest in technologies that reduce the amount of carbon dioxide in the air, thereby “offsetting” the damage done to the environment. You can offset flights, you car, your home’s energy use, or pretty much anything.)
It’s good that you’re thinking about the environmental impact of travel, but as some will argue, it’s just a feel-good patch that doesn’t truly offset your behavior. In fact, it could justify your flying more, putting even more carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, because you feel you’re doing the right thing.
On the other hand, if you’re going to fly anyway, why not do something good for the environment — even if it’s a small gesture. Every little bit helps, right? And maybe, just maybe, the awareness of the carbon-burn problem will spur some people to implement environmentally friendly changes in other aspects of their lives besides air travel. And you might even get a certificate. Whoo.
So I’m torn. I haven’t done it yet, but would consider it. I’d be sure to check the effectiveness of the organization that’s sponsoring the offset first, to make sure the money is spent wisely and administered efficiently. (There are several different offset providers.) Assuming they’re a nonprofit, I’d look them up on CharityNavigator. If they’re not a nonprofit, I’d ask why not.
Have you ever bought a carbon offset? Would you? Sound off in the comments!
Related:
- Burn, baby, burn: Silverjet makes carbon offsets mandatory
- Reduced-guilt flying now readily available for online purchase
- Are open skies dirty skies?
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May 1st, 2007 at 9:58 am |
The whole thing’s a scam! If you want to help go volunteer at the local homeless shelter; help a kid from malaria or similar disease caused by unhygienic conditions; or just help them get clean water.
May 1st, 2007 at 10:43 am |
What about the eco-taxes that you’ll pay when you fly to the UK? Do you “need” to buy an offset if you’re already paying the tax?
May 1st, 2007 at 11:04 pm |
It seems like a money maker for companies, but I can’t help but see this as a way to ease our guilt.
Planes are going to fly whether they are full or half empty. So, I find this thinking a bit odd in that we’re not changing behavior.
I feel that global warming is real, but I haven’t seen how these offsets help or change anything.
May 2nd, 2007 at 12:00 am |
bahahaha I can’t believe people would *actually* fall for this. The carbon offset programs are such a scam, they are worse then the snake oil salesmen. I give it about a year, MAX, before you see most of the major pubs writing articles about these companies are squandering $$$. You would have to be a certifiable moron to not see this coming. No, I take that back, a moron would qualify as having more brain cells!
May 3rd, 2007 at 3:08 pm |
I like the idea of being able to buy carbon offsets, but I’d only buy them if a significant amount (>90%?) of the money actually went to that end (i.e. no big markups, but paying some administrative expenses is OK — as the mention of non-profit company alluded to). I read recently that the retail cost of carbon offsets includes a huge markup and that it’s difficult to buy them wholesale.
May 28th, 2007 at 10:21 am |
There is no doubt that there are rogue operators of carbon offsets out there but provided they follow certain criteria they are a good option. Obviously no emissions are the best situation however as air travel is unavoidable in a number of cases then offsetting is fine. The best criteria is that the mark up is between 10-15% and the offsets are verified. By offsetting Kyoto units you are garuanteed that it is genuine however this may be a bit more expensive than other verified offsets.