Looking for a "carbon karma" guru? Didn't think so. But in case you were, you can always ask CBS's Hari Sreenivasan, who has anointed himself equal to the task. From an April 23 post to CBSNews.com's Couric & Co. blog:
The simple idea with carbon offsets is that you are trying to clean up the earth a bit for the damage you feel you might be doing – whether it be from the carbon emissions of driving your car, flying in a plane, leaving your plasma TV running all night or the mother of all barbeque pits smoking all day. Travel Web sites such as Orbitz, Travelocity, and Expedia – as well as several major airlines – offer the chance to pay an additional fee right when you book a ticket with them. Companies like DrivingGreen offer opportunities to cleanse your travels on the road.
But I have yet to find a BBQ carbon offset calculator. I'm sure one will pop up if there isn't one.
Is this essentially a form of pollution penance to re-center your carbon karma? Yes and no. You wouldn’t do it unless you were concerned. But depending on the vendor, the project, the verification model you choose your dollars could actually make a difference.
Appeasing the green gods can be so confusing, fortunately the Dallas-based reporter has advice for his eco-flock. Concluding his sermon, the CBS blogger closed with a benediction.
The moral of the story? Tread lightly, with your carbon footprint that is.
Editor at Large
Comments Policy
Mad as hell!
April 24, 2008 - 18:20 ET by Mica the MagnificentI'm sick of all of this!
I'm going to go into my backyard right now and
KILL THE EARTH!
How many effing carbon credits do I need to buy now, gurus??
Mica... I'm sick of all
April 24, 2008 - 18:25 ET by bigtimerMica...
I'm sick of all of this too...I tried to listen to Maria Cantwell today, Senator for Wa. about some of this...could not do it.
"Never murder your opponent when he is committing suicide." ~ W. Churchill
I'm sicker, bigtimer!!!
April 24, 2008 - 18:39 ET by Mica the MagnificentI reeaaalllly dont want to hear about carbon credits or global warming anymore, Bigtimer. . .
Al Gore is making millions giving seminars to corporations about carbon credits! Businesses selling carbon offsets are sprouting up like weeds.
Soon, everything we buy will have a 'carbon offset fee' attached and we'll be forced to pay it! (See Upcountrywater's post below)
Wait until the federal government charges us taxpayers a 'fee' to buy carbon credits to offset their footprint for all that paper they use in Washington!
Arrrgggghhh!
MICA MUST KILL EARTH!!!!
All we can do is educate people about Global Warming
April 24, 2008 - 20:20 ET by PopularTechThe hysteria is so out of control that all we can do is educate people:
Videos:
Censored Global Warming Videos
Books:
The Global Warming Book Collection
Everything Else:
The Anti 'Man-Made' Global Warming Resource
Ken, I had the chance to pay an additional fee!
April 24, 2008 - 18:24 ET by upcountrywaterI rented a car, and a part of the items to check on the list was:
Green House Gas Emissions Offset .....$1.25 a day.
All these companies falling all over them selfs to off set carbon!
When will NO OPTION be the norm??
<gaia/love>SAVVVE The Whales N' Earth; conserve N' recycle !
IranianUranium<sleep>New/Infrastructure/repair?/ROFLMAO
Upcountry
April 24, 2008 - 18:29 ET by BlondeI'll say to you what I said below....I wonder exactly where that "offset" appears on their P&L?
My guess....straight to the bottom line. They're not using it for anything. This practice is becoming common as a way to beef up margins. It's disgusting. And a rip off.
Noel, are you reading this? As an economist, it's an interesting topic.
David Gregory, do you know which damn network you lie for? ~ Uncle Jimbo, @Blackfive
Blonde, Heres what one site says: as if ; LMAO climate trust
April 24, 2008 - 18:54 ET by upcountrywaterOffset purchases cover direct payments to project owners, sponsors, and
developers, as well as maintenance and development of this program.
About 92% of all funds received by The Climate Trust goes towards
offset programs.
<gaia/love>SAVVVE The Whales N' Earth; conserve N' recycle !
IranianUranium<sleep>New/Infrastructure/repair?/ROFLMAO
Like I said....
April 24, 2008 - 18:59 ET by BlondeStraight to the bottom line.
David Gregory, do you know which damn network you lie for? ~ Uncle Jimbo, @Blackfive
BBQ Offset Calculator?
April 24, 2008 - 18:25 ET by BlondeI think you'd need to ask RD Helm about that one. Particularly charcoal barbeques.
This foolishness is totally off the hook.
Oh....and I wonder exactly what Orbitz, et. al., actually "do" with the $$$ people voluntarily kick in for their offsets? Hmmmmm? Do you suppose it goes straight to the bottom line? That would be my guess. Offsets my eyelash.
David Gregory, do you know which damn network you lie for? ~ Uncle Jimbo, @Blackfive
who are...
April 24, 2008 - 18:32 ET by EvilCon555these "credits" going to? Algore? Gee, I hope so!
I'd love to chat more about the great work Algore and his minions are doing but I've gotta go...the wood fired BBQ smoker is done and my bone in prime rib is smoked to perfection after ten hours ....and when I am done I'm gonna light up a cigar and drink a little sippin scotch, aged to perfection in an oak barrel, doubly smoked to bring out the flavor of the booze "just so".
Tomorrow, just because I can, I will drive my Allison Duramax Deisel Chevy Duel axle truck to my office job....no I don't ranch or own a construction company...I just like to pay carbon credits in my big rig!!!! I know Algore will use the money I send him wisely...and that the reporters in our MSM have represented his call to action (and taxin') responsibly. And I hear they LOVE the koolaid Algore hands out in Tennesee.....
"All great change in America begins at the dinner table" Ronald Reagan, Jan 21, 1981
EvilCon.... That was
April 24, 2008 - 18:40 ET by bigtimerEvilCon....
That was rich!
"Never murder your opponent when he is committing suicide." ~ W. Churchill
BT..
April 24, 2008 - 19:45 ET by EvilCon555My smokin pleasure!
Thanks...
"All great change in America begins at the dinner table" Ronald Reagan, Jan 21, 1981
I think we may have a competition for carbon footprints...
April 24, 2008 - 19:58 ET by Wilbur747I finished smoking two briskets (with hickory of course), three babybacks (mesquite), and some salmon (alder). Lost count on the hours since I was mezmorized by the scent...sorry, CO2 footprint.
I drove my V8 truck, (non-duelie, you win that one) twice to the store as I always forget what the wife wants and I'm going to fire the hot tub up since the wife's been gone for 6 days (post welcome home party of course!) ;)
Soon, I'll drive a train with six to eight 5000-6000 HP locomotives spewing out tons of diesel exhaust.
I ran out of Fuegos, so another point to you, but I still have plenty of Talisker Scotch.
I did have a huge burrito today AND I gave my dogs some really cool treats so I'll leave that carbon footprint to your imagination!
I wonder how much money I can make selling "doggie and Bean Burrito" carbon offsets?
Hmmmmm!
Trees
April 24, 2008 - 18:36 ET by Jerry MackCalifornia Senator Babs Boxer pays $400.00 for carbon offsets each time she flies to and from D.C. Others pay similar amounts when taking private jets. The money is supposedly used to plant trees. Have any of you seen any of these trees?
Charade
April 24, 2008 - 18:48 ET by dboEven if the money does go to planting trees, this is completely useless. When she flies she is immediately putting CO2 in the air. When you plant trees it is 20 or 25 years or so before they grow up and do an effective job of sequestering CO2. According to Al Gore, we now only have 8.5 years left before we pass the point of no return.
And whose money is she using
April 24, 2008 - 18:52 ET by fitzfongAnd whose money is she using to pay for these "offsets"?
How the MSM would interpret Fitzfong's post
April 24, 2008 - 19:03 ET by Mica the MagnificentOh, so you're implying that Barbara Boxer's husband's money is paying for it? Huh? Huh? Admit it, you sexist slimeball!
Glad you're not running for anything 'republican' Fitz.
lol!
Well, MTM, I was implying
April 24, 2008 - 19:25 ET by fitzfongWell, MTM, I was implying something a bit different...like your money and my money rather than Boxer's husband's money...but if the shoe fits. After all, Stretch Pelosi demanded the taxpayers foot the bill for a larger airplane because Hastert's Speaker plane wasn't big enough for her ego...I certainly wouldn't put it past Boxer to force us to subsidize her activism. Let's just say she's not using the money her daughter isn't getting for child support from Hillary's brother...but I digress.
I agree, Fitz.
April 24, 2008 - 19:37 ET by Mica the MagnificentI agree, Fitz.
We will pay for every liberals' activism, and it will be portrayed as 'for the public good'
(This replaced 'for the children' a few months ago.)
Good luck finding
April 24, 2008 - 20:06 ET by GregEGood luck finding those.
My neighbor just hacked down every single tree in his yard. Will there come a day where you will have to buy a carbon credit if you cut down an existing tree? I put NOTHING past liberals.
Carbon, the New Enemy
April 24, 2008 - 18:42 ET by CobraManIt looks as if the idiots have declared war on carbon now, one of the most abundant elements in the Universe, an element that is essential for the formation and continuation of life itself. Despite the obvious need for carbon, including CO2, these self-appointed saviors of life insist that carbon is bad for all life, as if there’s another type of life on earth that isn’t based on carbon. And they call themselves intelligent! We might as well declare war on air and water too.
Since we are carbon-based life forms (how's that non-carbon life style working out for ya, Casper?), I suggest that these "gurus" all bury themselves in 100 foot deep, carbon fiber lined, concrete encased pits so they can reduce their carbon footprint and to sequester their personal carbon infused bodies for eternity
Cobraman: Unfortunately they
April 25, 2008 - 01:18 ET by Mike From CanmoreCobraman:
Unfortunately they realize all this. That's why they want to tax it. It's the mother lode of tax and spend and life control.
Travel Web sites such as
April 24, 2008 - 18:45 ET by fitzfongTravel Web sites such as Orbitz, Travelocity, and Expedia – as well as several major airlines – offer the chance to pay an additional fee right when you book a ticket with them.
Isn't travel expensive enough these days without the eco-weenies forcing the airlines and travel agents to put out a tip jar for "Mother Earth"?
Carbon karma guru?
April 24, 2008 - 19:03 ET by Matthew SheffieldI think Mike Myers ought to sue this guy for copyright infringement.
Hey,Congress:
April 24, 2008 - 19:17 ET by iveseenitallWhat will it take to stop this b.s.? --$6 gas?, food shortages?, a revolution? ...
Carbon offsets are just another tax which will soon become permanent.
"These are the times that try men's souls..." Thomas Paine, 1776
NEVER,NEVER trust a "liberal"
I knew it...this is just
April 24, 2008 - 19:22 ET by taterI knew it...this is just all a scheme for the libtards to finally tax us for breathing. After all the nasty pollutant carbon dioxide comes out of our noses too.
"They need to have a course in college called common sense and everyone should take it. Problem is there isn't too many people that could pass or teach it." -my grandfather
I wonder...
April 24, 2008 - 20:07 ET by Wilbur747how much carbon comes out of the libtard offices in DC? Which brings up another question.
Do these libs pay for carbon credit to the Great One Algore's company for their own hot air?
Maybe they just have alot of plants in their office to absorb it all!
I don't care if private
April 24, 2008 - 19:33 ET by ApacheI don't care if private industry makes an extra buck offering BS to libtards. As long as the government doesn't force everyone to give the government money for this crap. There is nothing wrong with private companies charging stupid people for being stupid. The government already has the lottery as a tax on the stupid and it's illegal for anyone else to create one. So for balance they must stay out of this one.
Let's re-package the pet
April 25, 2008 - 10:00 ET by GWLet's re-package the pet rock as a zero-carbon pet.
Long live capitalism!
Pet Rocks?
April 25, 2008 - 10:31 ET by CobraManPet Rock is SOOOO last decade. Let's update it to the Silicon Buddy.
Oh, wait...
...Implants!
How about Baby Gaia? Hay, I bet that would work!
A barbecue pit smoking all
April 24, 2008 - 19:35 ET by the strugglerA barbecue pit smoking all day? These people would crap their pants if they seen my burn pile.Maybe it's a way to eliminate these people,like on "Mars Attacks".Show them a video of a garbage pile burning and their heads would EXPLODE.
Now,before my head EXPLODES,somebody pass me the duct tape.
Hey struggler... I'll
April 24, 2008 - 19:45 ET by bigtimerHey struggler...
I'll pass you the duct tape, we too have a burn pile we use in late spring, early fall for trees we have to thin from our property...plus of course any garbage around ect...I'm sure they will eventually see some way to stop this, let alone wood stoves out of city limits....unless EPA approved of course...and those will be banned eventually too if the greenies get their way.
"Never murder your opponent when he is committing suicide." ~ W. Churchill
If one day it's determined
April 24, 2008 - 19:53 ET by GregEIf one day it's determined (and reported as such) that carbon dioxide has nothing to do with global warming, or that global warming isn't happening or is zero cause being humans.....AND Al Gore and his minions knew this all along, would it suffice to say that he should be found guilty of a federal crime of fraud and imprisoned?
Just askin.
Not sure. I would think you
April 24, 2008 - 20:10 ET by ApacheNot sure. You would need to PROVE he knew. It would seem obvious already when you take apart his movie as well as follow the money trail. But he would just point to the UN as the 'real' culprit and good luck holding anyone accountable there. There is this pop culture notion (thanks to Gore) that the IPCC is more than it is.
How 'bout a Carbon Karma
April 24, 2008 - 20:52 ET by QueenMumHow 'bout a Carbon Karma Chameleon?
I am the exotic Queen Mum, and I approved this message.
Well that's it. This karma
April 24, 2008 - 21:37 ET by radiofitz34Well that's it. This karma story just killed the last of my cognitive brain cells. I'm literally dumbfounded. Sooa I dnsa duh nap hap a b c . 1 2 3 (baby you and me) ha karma....
Political Correctness Is a Progressive Disease
QM... Well now...I
April 24, 2008 - 21:46 ET by bigtimerQM...
Well now...I enjoyed that!
"Never murder your opponent when he is committing suicide." ~ W. Churchill
STEVEPIPE
April 25, 2008 - 02:52 ET by stevepipeCOURIC is bound and determined to keep looking until she finds a job!!! LOL