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Carbon-Neutral Is Hip, but Is It Green? »

Posted by: TechnologyExpert 2 years, 8 months ago

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The rush to go on a carbon diet, even if by proxy, is in overdrive. But is the carbon-neutral movement just a gimmick? On this, environmentalists don't agree. Some believe it helps build support, but others argue that these purchases don't accomplish anything other easing one's conscience after buying a 6,000 sq.ft. house or an SUV.

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Comments: 11

Avg rating: (+0/-0 0)
simonsez
April 29, 2007, 3:59 p.m.
Surprised nobody has stepped up on this one.
It's a gimmick.
Avg rating: (+0/-0 0)
truthiness
April 29, 2007, 4:26 p.m.
so silly. if you want to invest in green industry why dont you buy stocks (or other investment type) in those co. with that money and earn a profit at the same time. this carbon credit thing may alleviate your guilt, but youre getting suckered into investing in someones business for no return.
Avg rating: (+2/-0 2)
Nowalive
April 29, 2007, 6:33 p.m.
There is no such thing as carbon nuetral.... if you breathe that is. As to investing in carbon credits, how can you be sure that trees are REALLY being planted with the money you sent? How about those EnergyStar compliant stoves that were to be sent to several African countries? Did they get there and if so, the more pressing question is did they have any FOOD to cook with them? While neither side has any definitive proof of global warming or cooling or dimming or whatever today's buzzword is, which is truly the more pressing concern, FOOD or a newer stove? Stop with the PC crap, get over yourselves and admit that carbon offsets ARE a scam, and you would do more for the environment by recycling, composting, growing more foods locally, etc. than paying some company to absolve you of your "sins".
Avg rating: (+5/-1 4)
nostalgia
April 29, 2007, 7:21 p.m.
The Financial Times in London has reported on the fraud which is happening in the "carbon credit" business.
Defra in storm over discredited EU carbon plan
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/99ce494e-f45b-11db-88aa...
Industry caught in carbon smokescreen
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/48e334ce-f355-11db-9845...
Looks like India is getting involved in the scam too
India to discuss carbon credits in U.K.
http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/56631.html
Certainly not where I'll be spending my money!
Avg rating: (+7/-0 7)
drtjyen
April 29, 2007, 8:08 p.m.
this is another sad example of how we as a society think that all the world's problems can be solved with money. We give money to all sorts of social causes and disaster reliefs. This somehow absolves us from having to get our hands dirty, which is what it really takes to deal with our problems. How many 90210 kids volunteer to feed the hungry program or organize food drives just so it looks good on their college resume. They don't really give a crap.
All the dopey corporations fuel this hypocracy to maintain their benevolent image.
If we really cared, we'd stop driving cars, stop building mega mansions, and live pathetic lives like the rest of the world. Interesting thing, once you make enough money to indulge yourself, you aren't so willing to give them up. Thus, we resolve our guilt by buying ourselves out of it.