There are many controversial issues surrounding the whole concept of a ‘carbon footprint,’ not the least of which being that a country or business can buy the ‘clean footprint’ of another organization or country to make up for the pollutants that they themselves are dumping into the atmosphere; this is known as Carbon Offsetting.

Of course one of the strongest argument against the whole idea of Ariel pollutants in particular, is that one volcanic eruption alone, can multiply many times the harmful emissions that the whole world population produces over the course of a full year; be that as it may – the fact is, that we surely have to at least make some effort to clean up our own living environment.

What is a Carbon Offset?

This is an attempt at reducing the carbon dioxide emissions – which you may know as greenhouse gases – to make up for an overproduction of such pollutants from another source.

Generally these pollutants are listed in six different categories: Carbon Dioxide, Nitrous Oxide, Hydroflurocarbons, Hexafluoride, Per fluorocarbons and Methane. Measurement is calculated at the rate of one metric ton of any of the above pollutants reduced from the source.

Governments or companies are allowed through the Kyoto protocol, to purchase another ‘clean’ reductions, in order to comply with regulations regarding their own industries. Indeed the possibility to purchase ‘carbon credits’ has become in itself a major industry and financial money-maker.

Building Carbon Credits:

There are several ways for individuals or governments to ‘cash in’ on this whole idea of carbon credits, and by doing so , not only clean up their own immediate environment, but indeed make some income from the ‘bad boys’ of the world who are still dumping unwanted greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.

Popular ways to ‘gain credits’ are things like wind farms, solar energy installations, hydro-electric installations, biomass energy systems and geothermal energy; to name the most popular renewable energy systems generally promoted.

Other ‘clean’ energy systems, perhaps not so well known, include wave power and magnetic energy; two energy systems that perhaps do not share the limelight with the heavy-weights such as solar energy; but who nevertheless have great potential for producing truly clean energy at reasonable cost.

Offsetting carbon Footprint By Planting Trees

Recently controversy has been rife regarding schemes like the growing of forests in one country, in order to offset the emissions in another – a classic case of buying carbon credits which can in itself become a problem if over forestation has another negative impact on the country growing the forest; both economically and environmentally.

Offsetting Carbon Footprint – Flights:

Modern day flying with massive jet engines producing tons of carbon pollutants, has been a cause of concern amongst some environmentally aware individuals; and so the need to offset this pollution is pressing.

However according to this article in the UK guardian it is perhaps not so much of a concern as we would make believe? With only 7% of the population funding green energy projects, that are intended to offset the damage they themselves are doing to the atmosphere by flying.

The carbon Footprint Trade-off:

An issue that also causes great debate and argument even amongst the environmentalists, is the so-called ‘green energy’ systems put in place. No matter what the system, there is always a trade-off to consider with regard to the clean energy produced, versus the pollution caused to produce this same energy.

Wind Farms: One of the ‘big hitters’ in the clean energy camp, nevertheless takes hundreds of thousands of tons of concrete (itself one of the big polluters in its production), in the bases for the windmills.

This along with the damage to the natural surroundings – which are usually pristine environments on hilltops – and the creation of road services. Along with the noise pollution and the destruction of migrating birds; causes many to vehemently doubt its ‘green’ credentials.

Solar Panels: Again, one of the mainstays of the renewable energy folks, does itself produce massive chemical damage in the production on the panels.

Being constructed mainly in countries such as China, which have a poor civil rights record; this production has been blame for whole communities being poisoned and removed from their land.

Hydro-Electric Schemes: Take millions of tons of concrete in their production, similar but on a grander scale to the wind farms – with the same problems re co2 pollution. Also it can mean displacement of the indigenous peoples along with the destruction of their whole community way of life.  A classic example of the minorities wishes, being trampled underfoot by the majority vote.

Geo-thermal production: Perhaps the strongest case against this energy source, is the risk of releasing poisonous gases and chemicals into the atmosphere during its installation and production, as per this article.

Summary:

It has to be recognised that there are problems with carbon footprint offsetting, both in a practical and environmental sense. Also Corruption will always threaten the attempts we make to get accurate information, as various governments and institutions will attempt to ‘cook the books’ in order to get the best deal for themselves – there is money involved after all!

With that in mind, we all owe it to ourselves to make sure that in order to protect the planet and care for our children’s inheritance in a responsible way – we are not in fact sowing the seeds of our own destruction by following bad advice from people whose sole concern is to make profit.