Green Work

Carbon offsetting versus emissions reductions; does carbon offsetting give us an excuse not to be concerned about our carbon emissions? It seems that this is a debate that has no real answer. There are critics of carbon offsetting who say that it is not having enough of an immediate effect on the carbon emissions and that it may be too little, too late.

Carbon offsetting companies are popping up everywhere. They are planting trees in order to offset the carbon emissions produced by everyday living. This is a great idea in theory, but is it really helping? Trees take time to grow and as they grow they do effectively and naturally offset CO2 emissions. But it takes years for trees to grow. What until then?

Are people donating to these carbon offsetting companies and then using their donations to alleviate their concerns about doing their part to reduce carbon emissions. Hopefully this is not the case, but unfortunately in some cases it is. If you are donating to carbon offsetting, thank you! But you still need to turn off lights when not in use and replace your bulbs with florescent. You still need to drive slower and smarter in fuel efficient vehicles, or use public transportation when it is available. You still need to buy energy efficient appliances for your home. Remember that your donations now won't mean a thing in ten years if we don't all do our part to reduce carbons now.

Other critics of carbon offsetting are concerned that as the newly planted trees grow the acid rains and atmosphere of today's world will never allow the young trees to live. Dead trees release all of their CO2 back into the air, creating an even worse problem. The same critics complain that the trees will just grow so that they can be cut down before they reach full maturity for growing industry and construction. Then the money donated for carbon offsetting is essentially wasted.

The companies counter the critics by assuring us that the trees are planted in protected areas such as forests and company owned lands. They are well cared for to help assure their continued growth. And they agree that it is true that the offsetting trees take some time to grow and that everyone needs to continue to do their part to reduce carbon emissions in their daily living habits.