Carbon Neutral
Carbon-neutrality: Just another scam or does it really do some good for the planet?
Unfortunately, almost all carbon-neutrality schemes are simply cynical corporate con tricks aimed at exploiting the good intensions of people looking to minimise their own carbon footprint. Stories abound of companies promising to offet all the carbon emissions of a long haul flight by planting a few euro worth of trees in some unspecified reforestation project in the Himalayas. Among the companies offering these miracle cures for all the excesses of the developed world are BP and Travelcare.
Like many ideas hijacked by unscupulous commercial interests, the concept of carbon neutrality has much to commend it. The basic idea is that carbon emissions are offset by investing resources in an activity which will result in the same quantity of carbon being absorbed from the atmosphere. Typically, this involves planting trees. As trees grow atmospheric carbon dioxide is locked up within the fibre of the wood itself and is only released when the tree dies or is cut down and burnt.
Unfortunately, most of the 'calculations' for carbon neutrality make completely false assumptions about the potential take up of carbon dioxide. For example, the calculations for the carbon uptake of trees may assume every tree planted survives to maturity, whereas the real figure may be less than 1 percent. Every forester knows that trees are deliberately planted close together to allow for loses, thinning, and also for mutual protection during the early years.
Atmospheric carbon dioxide absorbed in future decades by trees planted now will do nothing to offset current emissions.
A young tree of a couple of meters in height will absorb very little carbon dioxide for the simple reason the take up rate is roughly proportional to the respiration rate of the tree, which in turn is proportional to the amount of leaves. Although a mature tree will eventually slow down in much the same way as a mature member of our own species, maturity for a tree might mean hundreds of years! The act of preparing ground in order to plant trees will actually release carbon to the atmosphere, meaning a young forest is probably a net carbon emitter.
Once the tree dies or is cut down the carbon is released again, suggesting that woodland is only a short term carbon bank unless it is continued in perpetuity.
Other 'carbon balancing' schemes involve investment in renewable energy projects in India, China, Latin America and Africa, often in places where corruption is the order of the day and where measures to protect the environment are way down on the list of priorities. These schemes can range from hydro electric projects to the promotion of efficient stoves. While questions could be asked about the 'benefits' of hydro schemes - when viewed against environmental and social impacts - there is no doubt that some of these projects are still worthwhile. But unfortunately, investment in them will do little if anything to reduce current greenhouse gas emissions.
The calculations used for both hydro schemes and cooking stoves assume a long working life and that current emissions are offset against incremental savings over many years. Often, the schemes advertised have not even begun, and will only do so when sufficient 'investors' have been signed up in order to initiate the project. Unfortunately, planet earth can't wait that long. Emission reductions need to begin now.
The whole concept of carbon neutrality is fundamentally flawed, when it is contingent on current carbon debts being offset against savings in the future. Essentially it is carbon borrowing - or laundering - not balancing.
Companies offering 'carbon offsetting' services should not be supported, and ones professing their own 'carbon neutrality' should be challenged to produce the independently verified data that shows their emissions are being offset now not in 30 years time.
The most effective step towards achieving a low carbon footprint is simply to reduce carbon expenditure. Fly and drive less, live a simpler and less consumerist lifestyle, buy locally grown food, and downsize where possible.
Carbon Trade Watch, a non profit making organisation based in the Netherlands, have documented the whole carbon neutral scam in much more detail. Check out:
http://www.carbontradewatch.org/pubs/carbon_neutral_myth.pdf
See also: Carbon Offsetting
