Carbon Offset Fraud

Perhaps you missed this story that came out last week.  I wanted to write about it but I was so busy with school, that I just didn't get to it.

Essentially, this whole concept of buying "carbon offsets" is either an outright fraud, or it's a well intentioned but useless idea.

Here's the deal.  I have two cars.  One is a 2006 Chevy Uplander and a 2001 Kia Rio.  Mrs. VW drives the van and I drive the Kia.  Mrs.  VW is busy with her work as a musician and hauling kids and grandkids to doctor appointments, shopping and we use it for the occasional road trip.  The Kia is used mainly by me to commute to work every day.

I can go to a company like TerraPass and I can buy Carbon offsets for the gas that I consume.  For the Van, it will cost me 80 bucks a year.  For the Rio, a mere 50 clams. This is what TerraPass will do with my 130 (Plus Taxes and S&H) of my hard earned dollars:

TerraPass funds clean energy from sources like wind farms, methane capture facilities, and more.

By replacing energy from fossil fuels with clean energy, TerraPass reduces carbon dioxide emissions.  These reductions balance the emissions from your car.

They'll also send me a windshield decal like the picture above, a bumper sticker, and TerraPass logo decal!  But wait!  I also fly around a bit on company and personal business!  What about all those airplane rides?  After all, jet's burn carbon fuel too!  I'm flying to Detroit in July for my Dad's 80th birthday.  That'll cost me an extra 10 bucks (plus taxes and S&H).  I may be flying to Alaska next month, that'll cost me another 10 dollars.  I might wind up in Hawaii in August, let's see, that would be another 10 dollars.  Here's the biggie.  I might have to go to Australia in a few months (I can only hope!!!!) and that would cost me 37 dollars to offset that flight.  With the latter, I get a free plastic luggage tag.  (they offer the option of skipping the tag and you get an extra ton of offsets for free a 9.95 value!!)

Of course, I won't travel all of these, it depends upon other factors, such as when they are scheduled and if it's my turn to go, but the possibility exists that I could go on at least two or more and for sure one of them.  That is what is scheduled for this summer. 

Sure, they say they are audited by the Center for Resource Solutions.  As far as I can tell, they certify that TerraPass spends it's money on what it says, but how much really goes to the development after expenses and profit.

Which leads to the next point.  TerraPass and others like it are FOR PROFIT ventures.  They invest the money that you give them to buy shares in "green energy" companies.   You give them money to invest and they keep the dividends!  Beautiful!

There is absolutely no proof that these so-called "offsets" really offset anything.  CO2 is still being produced by your car, the jet and the energy providers for your home.

I do not mean to imply that TerraPass is doing anything illegal or that they are frauds or crooks.  For all I know they are entirely sincere in their efforts and believe in what they are doing. And so far, their type of business is legal.  All I'm saying is that on the surface, the concept looks like a ponzi scammer's dream.

VW

Comments

[Just another republican]

Sweet, so I pay them money to offset my guilt about doing things bad for the environment! In return they make money and I am guiltless.

I can't wait until democrats make this mandatory. However I won't ever fault someone who invests in these kinds of thing voluntarily, using it to justify being an excess energy glutton *cough AL Gore Cough* is snooty and hypocritical. Mutual fund companies do this all of the time only they are nice enough to give money back.

News today that should make people rejoice is a battery that runs off of Brewery waste (and produces clean water as wast) and solar panels improved by quantum physics to make them even better. I hope these people make lots of money off their inventions and the government stays the hell out.

JAR

[canuckistani]

I suppose its better than nothing and at least an attempt to work on the environmental problem, but I don't think it's really effective enough. I agree, it's a way to offset guilt. If the environmental problem is going to be dealt with, it has to be whole hog, not some piecemeal way like this.

[BobF]

In certain religions it was called indulgences.

Funny thing is, you pay these people the money and they get rich by building these facilities and farms, with your money, and sell the energy they produce but you don't get a thing from it. That's like investing in the stock market but never collecting a penny from your investment. It's nothing but feel good Bovine Scatology.

[BobF]

How many carbon offsets do you think I'll need to buy because of this?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HGwzM83Gm7k

Yes, that's my car and me behind the wheel.

[Violence Worker]

NICE!!!!!!

VW

[Violence Worker]

Canucki,

First of all, I don't believe there is much we can do. Even the polar ice caps of Mars are starting to melt. How many fossil fuel vehicles they have running on that planet do ya figure?

VW

[Allen]

Here's a good site for FREE offsets. I just issued myself One million! Get yours now just in time for Mother's Day! I now have so many, that my cars emit pure oxygen, and when I go gas up, the pump runs backwards! I've been making money hand over fist! If you include a SASE containing $35,000 cash (only) I'll send you my secrets, for free!

http://freecarbonoffsets.com/home.do

[WiserThanThat]

Carbon offsets are a scam. This is why.

CASE 1: Mr. Humanoid goes out and murders one person. He then persuades ten would-be murderers not to murder anyone. Does this 'offset' his murder? Even though he may have saved numerous lives, his victim is still dead and no amount of offsets can undue his victim's death.

CASE 2: Mr. Humanoid goes out and slashes the tires on your car. He then goes to his son's high school and persuades the entire school not to ever slash anyone's tires. Does this 'offset' your slashed tires? Will this noble act at the high school magically un-slash your damaged tires. Will you car with the slashed tires now be safe to drive on again?

CASE 3: One hundred acres of trees are clearcut today. These particular trees grew for 50, 60, 70 years or more before they were clearcut. Tomorrow One hundred seedlings are planted. Does this instantly offset the loss caused by clearcut destruction? Obviously not.

In the case of current environmental damage, like air travel, the damage is still being done regardless of how many carbon offsets are calculated or imagined.

The hand is quicker than the eye. The illusion here is that offsets instantly and magically offset or compensate for the long term, possibly irreversible damage being offset.

If you believe in carbon offsets, please contact me. I may have some ocean front property in Kansas that might interest you!

[Ben Keeler]

Good work helping to expose this fraud.