Part of the
Kenno's Blog series.
By Ken Brown
Editor, You Can Learn Series
Updated: October 31, 2007
A recent blog by an SEO "expert"
is what triggered this article. Apparently a week or two ago a number of blogs
were each going to write about global warming to make sure that everyone is
aware of climate change.
One of the SEO bloggers I read on a regular basis decided to write their
article on carbon credits. This company evaluated all of their uses of energy.
The heating costs. Their travel around the globe. The travel time to and from
the office. Even the cost to run the office computers. After, calculating all
of their energy uses they came up with a magic number of the amout of carbon
they had emitted into our environment.
Some Magic Carbon Credit Offset Company
Then they went to some magic carbon credit company and found out what the
carbon offset amount they should send to this company. This SEO expert decided
that the carbon offset amount they needed to account for was a little over
$300. But, they did something I couldn't believe. They sent this carbon offset
amount to the carbon credit company.
What a horrible waste of money. Yes, I said it is a waste of money. The way I
understand the carbon credit money exchange process is fairly simplistic. A
company that uses a certain amount of energy should pay for the carbon
pollution they push into the air we breathe. Then the money that is paid to the
carbon offset company is used to exchange carbon amounts with companies that
are above normal limits in expelling carbon dioxide.
What does the carbon offset company do with the money it receives? Well, that
is why I think this whole process is a joke. The carbon offset company will
plant trees. They will give carbon credits to companies who are exceeding their
carbon footprint. They will invest in non carbon dioxide spewing technologies
like solar power and windmills. Plus, they probably give some of their money to
employees, the company president and the board of directors.
Feel Better about Saving the Environment
What can you do differently to make you "feel better" about saving the
environment? I propose you do something locally. What is that old saying,
"Think Globally, Act Locally?" I suggest you take that money you want to give
some big name phony and invest it into your local community.
What does that mean, invest in your local community? Take that $300 and buy a
tree for your home. If you don't need a tree in your landscape then buy a tree
for your employees. Maybe they would like a tree. Buy a tree for your next door
neighbor. Or how about helping your employees purchase a car that doesn't
guzzle as much gas. Help your employees and friends to add extra insulation to
their homes. Wouldn't it be beneficial to offer money to fix windows that leak
heat and cold?
Why Send Your Money to Some Carbon Offset Company
Why send your money to some carbon offset company? That is so irresponsible.
You feel good about yourself, but don't you really wonder if that money is used
responsibly? How about looking out your window every morning and feeling good
about yourself as you look at that Crimson King Maple tree? The joy you would
feel when your employees come into work and tell you how much their gas bill
has been reduced.
The joy of helping people in your local community can be tremendous. You reduce
man's effect on the environment and you are offering others a chance to feel
good. Your little corner of the world will be better.
Carbon Dioxide is Spewing all over the Planet
Have you ever thought that the carbon offset company probably has a board of
directors that don't all live local to the company's physical location? So,
where do they have the quarterly and annual meetings. In little city Tennessee
or in Phoenix? Is the meeting in San Diego, the Bahamas, Paris, New York or
Chicago? All these board of director members have to travel to these locations.
Carbon dioxide is spewing all over the planet as these people travel to the
annual meeting.
Somebody has to pay for the employees. Your carbon credits are not saving the
planet. They are being used to run a company. You send $300 and $2 is added to
a fund to buy a tree. Is the money really used to print a piece of paper
telling you how much you have helped the environment? Don't you wonder about
these things? When you give money to charities don't you look at their
administration costs compared to the money used to help people?
Here is my suggestion. (This is all tongue in cheek. Don't take this section
seriously.) Instead of sending money to the carbon offset credit company, send
it to me. I will plant a tree in my yard, in my neighbor's yard, my children's
yard, my parent's yard and maybe just on land like a park. If I get enough
money (excuse me, carbon offsets) I might even buy some extra land to plant
trees.
Send Your Carbon Offset Credit Money to Me
I have added some PayPal links so you can easily send your carbon credits
amount to me. I will NOT use extra energy to thank you or to send you "carbon
credits documents." I think I will keep 50% of the money you send me just to
put in my pocket and to buy nice things for my wife. You will NOT receive any
tax benefits. I am a FOR PROFIT person.
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