> Carbon Offsets, what they are and how they help - Page 2

The role of individuals and small business

Carbon offsetting has gained appeal among consumers who have become aware and concerned about the negative environmental effects of energy-intensive lifestyles and economies.

For the individual there are now many options available to 'buy into' carbon offsetting solutions.

Is carbon trading really working?

Apart from the fact that there still is no proven linkage between current carbon atmospheric concentration and future temperature, does carbon trading actually work? To me, there are a few problems:

1. Human Co2 production is literally dwarfed by natural processes through the sessions on each hemisphere.
2. The mechanisms used to measure human Co2 concentrations, and therefore resultant carbon trading required, are impacted by natural sources (such as grasses).
3. Most carbon trading ultimately offsets against what was previously a natural 'sink' of Co2 - in effect it's a book keeping trick of adding an asset at zero cost and giving it a direct value.

So the end result is carbon trading and the resultant offsetting takes very little carbon 'out of' the environment anyway. This could perhaps well explain why what markets were set up to perform trading have all suffered from a declining price in carbon over time.

So, what should you really do?

First off, think about how you can reduce your direct environmental impact. We all share the same limited resource, the planet, therefore it is up to us to ensure we make best use of and preserve its resources where ever possible.

Secondly, stop focusing double down on carbon, there are so many other environmental issues getting 'swamped' by the obsession with carbon, for instance:

• Basic environmental pollution, be that chemicals, pesticides or fertilizers;
• Waste plastic in our environment and the seas;
• Environmental degradation; loss of habits and animals.
• Designing & encouraging products for reuse and repair instead of disposal.
• Designing products for combined usage through stronger standards.
• Education on food usage, cooking and plant growing to reduce 'food miles'.

See, there is a lot of other issues you can be focusing on now and making a direct difference NOW - please do so. If you want help, have a look at the other articles on this site.

Thirdly, share this article with your friends and open their eyes to the real problems we face.