More Carbon Offsets
Sep. 5th, 2017 08:54 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
labingiOver here in Oregon, we are bathed in ash and setting temperature records as fires rage in the Columbia Gorge, and I have soothed my sense of frustration a little by purchasing 150 tons in carbon offsets from Climate Neutral Now.
It is true offsets are not the best answer. Like geoengineering, they can make us feel like we're doing something when what we really need to do is reign in our own carbon emissions. But they do do something: these UN-vetted projects are not only reducing carbon emissions but helping create jobs, education, and healthier local environments in the developing world.
As opposed to REDD+, which has been widely accused of exploiting indigenous populations in the name of industry offsets, Climate Neutral Now favors local projects that return benefits to the local ecology/economy. I encourage folks to check it out.
It is true offsets are not the best answer. Like geoengineering, they can make us feel like we're doing something when what we really need to do is reign in our own carbon emissions. But they do do something: these UN-vetted projects are not only reducing carbon emissions but helping create jobs, education, and healthier local environments in the developing world.
As opposed to REDD+, which has been widely accused of exploiting indigenous populations in the name of industry offsets, Climate Neutral Now favors local projects that return benefits to the local ecology/economy. I encourage folks to check it out.
