Al Gore’s Outsourcing Solution (excellent article on Gore's house & offsets)

[Harper_is_Bush]

Al Gore’s Outsourcing Solution

By GREGG EASTERBROOK
Published: March 9, 2007

Washington

LAST month, to the delight of many global-warming skeptics, it was revealed that Al Gore uses 20 times as much electricity and natural gas at his Tennessee house than the national average. Out of curiosity, I put the former vice president’s power bills and ZIP code through the home-emissions calculator of TerraPass, a company that sells “carbon offsets” — the promise to reduce greenhouse gases by the same amount your behavior increases them.

TerraPass estimated that the power use of a house equivalent to Mr. Gore’s causes 377,000 pounds of greenhouse gases annually. That is roughly the annual carbon emission of 20 Hummers. Next time you see Mr. Gore wagging his finger about the energy sins of others, picture a caravan of 20 Hummers driving to the Academy Awards.

A Gore spokeswoman told the press that the former vice president pays extra for wind energy, and buys carbon offsets. He’s not the only one: companies that sell such offsets are rising in popularity, and certificates for them were included in the stars’ Oscar night goodie bags. Soon not just individuals, but the entire United States, may be purchasing carbon offsets on a grand scale.

TerraPass charges $1,247.50 for one year of carbon offsets for a home like Mr. Gore’s, the price including a refrigerator magnet proclaiming the home “carbon balanced.” Initially I found it hard to believe anyone could counteract Mr. Gore’s prodigious energy lust for just $1,247.50, since planting about 20,000 trees would be required to neutralize even half his house’s carbon footprint.

http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?chanID=sa003&articleID=E4BAA6E2182735B091D8EBE8534BB6CF

I still haven't decided which offset company is the best, but Terrapass is impressive. I've sent $50 their way for a year of driving my car.

[lvx35]

1. Good! But somebody needs to hold the feet of these companies to the flame.

To make sure they deliver. (I don't know anything about it though, there might already be some kind og mechanism in place.)

[Harper_is_Bush]

2. Read the article, it looks like terrapass gets that. You are right though, they all require

independant auditing.

It's exciting though...people can bypass government and indicate to the market that they want C02 reduced and make it happen directly, without waiting for Bushit to happen.

[lvx35]

3. Its really a wonderful opportunity.

Companies that bring the ability to participate in moral action. This should be embraced by everyone. It should be a basic spiritual value, to do such things. If only we can get rid of these garbage religions teaching war and end-times.