I’m greener than you are?
February 4th, 2009
There is a somewhat disturbing undercurrent in the carbon offsets arena. Seems that trees and forests don’t rate as viable carbon offset methods. Excuse me?
For those new to carbon offsets, it involves the valuation of activities which reduce greenhouse gasses which, when verified, are sold to individuals and companies who seek to offset their carbon footprint.
Carbon offsets range from capturing the methane emitted by the decomposition that occurs at landfills (methane is a 20X more harmful greenhouse gas than CO2) to wind farms (the theory that electricity created from wind reduces the need to have it created by, say, coal.)
TerraPass, a San Francisco-based offset company, doesn’t offer any forestry options for its customers seeking offsets. One reason offered is that it takes too long to recognize the benefit, and they fund offsets that occur now. Fair enough, if that’s your model.
But they go on to describe an inherent risk, in that eventually trees can die. Others would argue that reforestation provides the lowest cost means to achieve carbon sequestration, and it can be accurately measured.
No one is debating the aesthetic benefit of forests [author smiles…].
Third party verification provides a valuable benefit to sellers and buyers of forestation project credits. In addition to limiting the duration to perhaps 40 years, after which time the sequestration neutralizes as old trees die and new ones grow, percentages of the project can be set aside as a risk-recognized method for damage or destruction, such as in the case of fire.
A previous blog listed some calculations on carbon sequestration by trees, but Russell Simon, communications manager with Carbonfund.org, said it well when discussing the difference between avoiding greenhouse gas escape as with methane capture at landfills, and removing carbon from the atmosphere: “Sequestration is the only kind of project out there that takes CO2 that’s already been released and does something with it.”
‘Say it well’ yourself by leaving a comment.
Tags: Carbon Dioxide, Carbon Sequestration, environment, green movement, landfill
Posted in
Carbon Offsets, Certification, Forestation |
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February 4th, 2009 at 5:00 pm
I must say this is a great article i enjoyed reading it keep the good work
February 5th, 2009 at 9:32 am
Thanks for the blog, this is a great post. Carbonfund.org strongly supports forest based carbon offsets, not only because they are the only viable way to actually remove CO2 from the atmosphere now, but also because of the many co-benefits of these projects. Forestry based projects support communities, provide critical wildlife habitat, and improve local air and water quality.
Thanks for the post. Keep it up!
February 5th, 2009 at 10:12 am
[...] Trees in the Forest » Blog Archive » I’m greener than you are? [...]
February 7th, 2009 at 3:21 am
don’t let carbon offsets scam you - http://www.treemaxx.com/blog/?p=49
February 7th, 2009 at 4:00 pm
I disagree with carbon offsets for individuals. Nor should carbon offsets be a part of any cap and trade system. We need to reduce the amount of carbon that is produced. An offset, gives the producer of CO2 the impression they can do what they like, make no changes to their lifestyle, pay to have someone plant a tree or two and all is perfect with the world.
With this type of personal carbon credit, people’s behaviours will never change. They will continue to spew greenhouse gas into the air, year after year. Then, sometime in the future, they’ll lose interest and stop purchasing carbon credits. People should face-up to the environmental impact they are creating, not hide behind “feel-good” credits.
June 1st, 2009 at 4:21 am
[...] Trees in the Forest Blog Archive I 39 m greener than you are Posted by root 10 minutes ago (http://www.treemaxx.com) Feb 4 2009 terrapass a san francisco based offset company doesn 39 t offer any forestry 39 say it well 39 yourself by leaving a comment they will continue to spew greenhouse gas into the air year after year design by 1234 info wordpress port by peter 39 t Discuss | Bury | News | Trees in the Forest Blog Archive I 39 m greener than you are [...]
August 5th, 2009 at 10:03 pm
I’ve had a quick look at your site, it looks very interesting. Maybe you’d like to send a synopsis through for us to publish for you? Please make it as factual as possible and include a short bio of yourself and a link to your site at the end.
August 3rd, 2010 at 10:09 am
wind farms are great but they also take up a large land area.:.