Another Inconvenient Truth
It's hard not to be cynical in this short-term thinking world. When you look at the global warming problem and the efforts underway to curb the belching of noxious fumes into the air we breathe, you want to think that the motivations are for the right reasons. But, as with most opportunities, we must ride that hype curve before we get to that plateau of productivity where things can actually be accomplished. Climbing the peak of inflated expectations, are a lot of do-gooders with noble intentions -- but there are also the snake-oil salesmen, out to exploit good intentions for short-term gain.
BusinessWeek's March 26th issue carries an article on another inconvenient truth -- the currency of carbon offsets. Companies and individuals alike, especially the vocal ones, are jumping on the bandwagon more for selfish gains than altruism.
The problem with this approach however, is that the laziness has spawned a festering industry of middlemen whose promise is to take money from those that are unwilling to change and issue certificates, authenticating carbon reduction. What the middlemen are supposed to do, is invest that money to reduce elsewhere -- and they do -- somewhat. Unfortunately, that money could go to places where the reduction was already going to take place for other reasons. For instance, legislation may drive companies within a specific industry to curb their polluting. To feel good about themselves, companies in other industries may purchase carbon offsets in the first. But it's a meaningless investment, and the certificates issued have no credibility, since standards for what constitutes an offset aren't available. The reduction in the first industry would have happened anyway, because the impetus was already there.
What is needed is accountability, less hype and real action. Carbon offsets may indirectly have a positive impact on the environment -- but it's more symbolic than real. Real action requires work and the taking of accountability by individuals and businesses. I hate being cynical about this, but what is transpiring with carbon offsets is just another product of our lack-of-responsibility society.
BusinessWeek's March 26th issue carries an article on another inconvenient truth -- the currency of carbon offsets. Companies and individuals alike, especially the vocal ones, are jumping on the bandwagon more for selfish gains than altruism.
Rather than take the arduous step of significantly cutting their own emissions of carbon dioxide, many in the ranks of the environmentally concerned are paying to have someone else curtail air pollution or develop renewable energy sources. Carbon offsets, as the most common variety of these deals is known, have become one of the most widely promoted products marketed to checkbook environmentalists. [Emphasis my own.]Carbon offsets are supposed to work simply. If your carbon footprint amounts to x, but you're incapable or unwilling to take the steps to reduce it -- the easy way out is to insert dollars. Spend the right amount of money, and have someone else do the work to reduce by x, their footprint. Because you're funding the reduction, you can then feel good about yourself that you've negated your use of the planet as a toxic dump.
The problem with this approach however, is that the laziness has spawned a festering industry of middlemen whose promise is to take money from those that are unwilling to change and issue certificates, authenticating carbon reduction. What the middlemen are supposed to do, is invest that money to reduce elsewhere -- and they do -- somewhat. Unfortunately, that money could go to places where the reduction was already going to take place for other reasons. For instance, legislation may drive companies within a specific industry to curb their polluting. To feel good about themselves, companies in other industries may purchase carbon offsets in the first. But it's a meaningless investment, and the certificates issued have no credibility, since standards for what constitutes an offset aren't available. The reduction in the first industry would have happened anyway, because the impetus was already there.
What is needed is accountability, less hype and real action. Carbon offsets may indirectly have a positive impact on the environment -- but it's more symbolic than real. Real action requires work and the taking of accountability by individuals and businesses. I hate being cynical about this, but what is transpiring with carbon offsets is just another product of our lack-of-responsibility society.
Comments
Post a Comment