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Carbon Offsets - trying to buy a clear conscience ?

Discussion in 'Environmental Discussion' started by darlenegalik, Aug 29, 2007.

  1. darlenegalik

    darlenegalik New Member

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    The article below - from Fortune Magazine - shows one example of where carbon offset money goes - and how it's difficult to know if you're really helping the earth with money paid for this. Much better to "save the earth" where you live - buy local produce, recycle, and of course, drive a Prius.

    The other side of carbon trading

    Planting trees in Mount Elgon National Park in eastern Uganda seemed like a project that would benefit everyone. The Face Foundation, a nonprofit group established by Dutch power companies, would receive carbon credits for reforesting the park's perimeter. It would then sell the credits to airline passengers wanting to offset their emissions, reinvesting the revenues in further tree planting. The air would be cleaner, travelers would feel less guilty and Ugandans would get a larger park.

    But to the farmers who once lived just inside the park, the project has been anything but a boon. They have been fighting to get their land back since being evicted in the early 1990s and have pressed their case with lawsuits.

    Last year, when the courts granted three border communities an injunction against the evictions, the farmers took it as permission to clear the land they consider theirs. Now a stubble of stumps all that's left of the trees meant to absorb carbon dioxide dots the rows of newly planted maize and budding green beans.

    More at the link below:

    http://money.cnn.com/2007/08/27/news/inter...sion=2007082911
     
    #1 darlenegalik, Aug 29, 2007
  2. Darwood

    Darwood Senior Member

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    A clear conscience cannot be "bought". It only comes with difficult changes to the way you live. It's the new religion. Instead of laying gold at the altar of zues to cleanse yourself of past wrongdoings, you are laying gold at the altar of someone else, who has guilted you to do so.

    Instead of buying carbon offsets, people should invest that money in things like insulation, solar panels, replacing lush lawns in the desert with landscaping tolerant to drought, more economical vehcles or better yet mass transit, and etc. etc.
     
    #2 Darwood, Aug 29, 2007
  3. tripp

    tripp Which it's a 'ybrid, ain't it?

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Darwood @ Aug 29 2007, 01:00 PM) [snapback]503890[/snapback]</div>
    Indeed. Though some people are doing this for business travel. It seems spurious to me and I'd rather do the types of things you suggest.
     
    #3 tripp, Aug 30, 2007
  4. madler

    madler Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Darwood @ Aug 29 2007, 12:00 PM) [snapback]503890[/snapback]</div>
    Unfortunately, it can. It's simply a matter of what you can fool yourself into believing.

    Isn't that part of what motivates church donations?
     
    #4 madler, Aug 30, 2007
  5. Darwood

    Darwood Senior Member

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    "laying gold at the altar of zues"

    I was trying to be more subtle!
    Any conscience clearing is temporary, for these people.
    I come from Catholicism and guilt is rampant. It is the main tool of child rearing for the real staunch catholic women.

    Sit back in guilt and flog yourself....or actively try to be a better person.
     
    #5 Darwood, Aug 31, 2007
  6. patsparks

    patsparks An Aussie perspective

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    I'm all for flogging ones self!!
     
    #6 patsparks, Aug 31, 2007
  7. Darwood

    Darwood Senior Member

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    ???
    As a method of easing guilt?
    As opposed to addressing the actual cause of the guilt?
    Or in a sexual nature?
     
    #7 Darwood, Aug 31, 2007
  8. tripp

    tripp Which it's a 'ybrid, ain't it?

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Darwood @ Aug 31 2007, 11:16 AM) [snapback]504988[/snapback]</div>
    Why not all 3?
     
    #8 tripp, Aug 31, 2007
  9. ShneppleHead

    ShneppleHead New Member

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    Oh I agree we do it a work all the time... it works wonders for company moral
     
    #9 ShneppleHead, Sep 1, 2007
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