Friday, January 9, 2009

Carbon Offsets Are Not a License to Pollute

The carbon offset market is often misunderstood and misjudged. The goals of carbon offsetting are not to give a license to pollute to its customers. Rather, offsetting is a mechanism that is used by the environmentally conscious to further offset their carbon footprint once they have employed reduction strategies. This is a good thing. Offset companies that offer regulated projects are legitimate. The projects they undertake are monitored by non governmental organizations or other similar organizations for completion and sustained operation.

In the absence of such options, the renewable energy projects that are funded by offsetting would most likely not happen. Admittedly, there is some controversy here, however, the general consensus is that the carbon offset cash flow is crucial to the projects they fund. Choosing not to offset means that you are doing nothing above and beyond your reduction efforts. Conversely, purchasing offsets in addition to your mindful conservation and reduction strategies plays a significant role in developing renewable energy applications.

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