First Name | Joshua |
---|---|
Last Name | Hart |
Email Address | velorution@yahoo.com |
Affiliation | |
Subject | Withdraw Support for Carbon Offsets, a Deceptive Shell Game |
Comment | Feb. 23rd, 2010 Dear California ARB, As someone deeply concerned about the effects of climate change, I applaud your proposal to limit the types of offsets acceptable to the state of California under AB32. I would encourage you to go further and reject the false solution of carbon offsetting entirely, as it is counterproductive to the urgent need to drastically reduce the burning of fossil fuels. I hope you would agree that there are now sufficient questions about the veracity, accounting procedures, and avoidance of ‘additionality’ that the state’s resources are best focused on cutting GHG emissions at source rather than “outsourcing” this task and trusting for-profit companies with emissions reductions. I’ve written up a position paper that outlines the specific reasons for this stance. Background: With a scientific consensus having emerged that human beings are warming up the planet, risking catastrophic damage if we continue with business as usual, much of the conversation around climate change has shifted away from “why is this happening?” to “what are we going to do about it?” The solutions being discussed range from the local and practical, such as organizing community bicycle repair co-ops to the global and fantastical, like placing giant space mirrors in orbit. One of the ‘solutions’ that has been eagerly embraced by industry is that of carbon trading and offsetting, where a company (or individual) who doesn’t want to cut their carbon emissions essentially pays someone else to do it for them, thereby salving their consciences and improving their public image. Many of the largest financial institutions in the world- the same ones who are responsible for ongoing climate damage- are heavily invested in the carbon market, including Goldman-Sachs, Barclays and Citibank. Real Solutions: The solution to climate change is simple. We need to stop (or at least dramatically reduce) the burning of fossil fuels as soon as possible. Any “solution” that does not progress toward this goal is a dangerous distraction from the major transition that is required. By providing psychological justification to continue to dump carbon into the atmosphere, the sale of offsets allows people to live within a narrative that says we can continue our existing lifestyles and still have a safe, stable future. That’s why auto, oil, and utility companies have seized upon offsetting- because it provides ecological cover for their increasingly damaging business practices. Just like a cigarette addict cannot imagine a life free of smoking, it is difficult for most of us to imagine a life without fossil fuels. Because of our collective addiction, we are eager to embrace false solutions (think Marlboro lights, filters, smokeless tobacco, etc.) The reality is that we need to overcome our chronic dependence on oil, coal, and gas if we are to avoid lasting damage to the future of life on the planet. The sale of carbon offsets distorts this basic truth, and distracts us from implementing real solutions to the current crisis. The Future of Carbon Trading: The carbon trading industry (that includes carbon offsets) is already a multibillion dollar industry. Offset firms like Terrapass have grown rapidly over the past several years, with their bumper stickers proclaiming “I clean up after my car” now a common sight on Bay Area roads. With the possible passage of federal Cap and Trade legislation, carbon trading is likely to become a trillion dollar industry by the end of this decade. Fortunately the truth about carbon markets is coming out. A number of critical articles have appeared lately in national publications including Harper’s, the New York Times, and the Nation exposing carbon trading as a deceptive shell game. (see links below). A number of travel companies such as Responsible Travel have rejected offsets, and now believe that they are a “medieval pardon that allows people to continue polluting.” However, millions of people continue to believe that if they pay $49.95 a year to an offset firm, they can erase the damage to the atmosphere that their driving or flying habits cause. This is a destructive lie that needs to be exposed. News articles on Carbon Offsetting: Harper’s: Conning the Climate: Inside the Carbon Trading Shell Game (pdf document) http://citizensclimatelobby.org/files/Conning-the-Climate.pdf New York Times: Paying More for Flights Eases Guilt, not Emissions http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/18/science/earth/18offset.html The Nation: Don’t bet on Offsets http://www.thenation.com/doc/20070507/thompson_moles Business Week: Another Inconvenient Truth Behind the feel-good hype of carbon offsets, some of the deals don't deliver http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/07_13/b4027057.htm Other Background Information The Story of Cap and Trade http://www.storyofstuff.com/capandtrade/ CheatNeutral: Pay to offset your marital infidelity! http://www.cheatneutral.com/ Sincerely, Joshua Hart Joshua Hart Bio Joshua Hart MSc has worked as a professional transportation advocate since 2000, first as Project Coordinator for the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy from 2000-2002 and then as Program Director for the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition from 2003-2005. He obtained a Masters degree (with merit) in Transportation Planning at the University of the West of England in Bristol from 2006 to 2008, and completed research entitled Driven to Excess, presenting the social and quality of life impacts of automobile traffic on local residents. The research was covered in over 100 international media outlets including the BBC, the Guardian, Tehran Times, and the Daily Mail. Joshua has extensive experience managing environmental and transportation campaigns, including formal media training and extensive interviewing and public speaking experience. He maintains a blog at http://onthelevelblog.com. |
Attachment | |
Original File Name | |
Date and Time Comment Was Submitted | 2010-02-23 12:19:28 |
If you have any questions or comments please contact Clerk of the Board at (916) 322-5594.