Offsetting, (verb) – to counteract (something) by having an opposing force or effect. To balance or serve as a counterbalance for. To compensate.
Lately I have been hearing a lot about “offsetting.” Being able to purchase carbon credits, plant trees, and invest in renewable energy sources allows people the opportunity to pay a cost long overlooked: that of environmental impact. While some feel that this financial compensation allows people to go about their emissions-spewing lives hauling around in their Hummers, others feel that many of the companies that have started to popularize ‘offsetting,’ are educating the general consumer and increasing awareness and motivation to act on behalf of the planet.
Here is an interesting article out of the UK about a company that is doing a bit more than just planting trees. There has been some controversy regarding tree-planting. I was approached by a company that wanted some assistance with their ‘offsetting’ plan. They were planting in North America and when I asked them where these trees were going to be planted, whether the trees were indigenous, whether they had scientific data backing up their plan, etc. they avoided giving me a direct answer.
There is debate surrounding the idea of ‘offsetting.’ Many environmental activists feel we should be curbing our habits and minimizing our lifestyles instead of merely ‘offsetting.’ The term itself connotes a balancing which makes one think of merely reaching a median, as opposed to soaring beyond. Others feel that instead of trying to preach extremity, it is a way to generate change within the system. There is something about the term itself that reminds me of people spraying air freshener over a stench, but the reality is, as seen with the British company mentioned in the article, some offsetting organizations are seeking eco-friendly ways for people to maintain subsistent lifestyles while minimizing environmental degradation.
Not only are SO many people confused about what this is all about (for good reason) but I agree when you write, “There is something about the term itself that reminds me of people spraying air freshener over a stench…” BUT what to do when you have to fly somewhere? I mean, flying is a HUGE CO2 contributor….the only thing I can think of is this, until they figure out a way to make planes more efficient (which I read is definitely on the agenda, if only because of the prices of oil going up and down has a huge impact on the airlines’ bottom lines).
01/07/07 » 12:43 pm »
Oh, I just found this article over at treehugger about offsets for travel in particular and how good they can be.
01/07/07 » 12:56 pm »
I’m all for offsetting, but I totally agree that it’s not the only solution. Major lifestyle and consumption changes are in order. This reminds me of a recent treeplanting project in my country, wherein thousands of trees were planted along the highways. I get the idea, it’s noble and all. But it’s all worth nothing if people keep wasting and polluting and if companies won’t even consider sustainability.
I agree with Starre, too. Offsetting seems to be the only viable thing to do if you frequently take long-haul flights.
01/09/07 » 2:00 pm »
Everybody is worried about whether carbon offsets are a good or a bad thing.
I plant trees for people who are making the ecologically destructive choice to fly. We don’t pretend it’s a solution to climate change and we are very clear with our customers that it takes the tree ages to re-absorb their carbon.
Globally, we made 8 billion individual flights last year. Only a tiny, tiny proportion of these were offset in any way. The 1250 trees that we have planted since starting-up 8 months back represent the voluntary altruistic attempts by ordinary people to give something back when they fly. This is something very positive that we should respect and encourage.
We are so good at taking. We all need top learn to give back. Carbon offsets are not perfect, far from it – but they are simply a little bit better than doing nothing if you are going to do something destructive and carbon intensive.
02/22/07 » 5:44 am »