[Shnoowie]

What does everyone here think about going carbon neutral?
I'm thinking about off-setting the carbon footprint of my (very small) business - it equates to planting around 4 trees per year which I think it very little to pay (around £40).  Would you be more inclined to use a carbon neutral business?
Do you think it is something we all should be doing anyway?  It doesn't always entail planting trees (apparently!) though I'm happy to plant a good few trees!

References: http://www.carbonfootprint.com/offsetprojects.html

[scattybiker1972]

well ive just planted my new  5 fruit trees .so hope that counts

[HappyHippy]

Last year we re-planted a small proportion of ours (less than 10%) which had been damaged since the original planting was done (pesky deer and rabbits ) that small proportion amounted to 16,000 saplings - don't think I've got any worries about staying carbon neutral for the rest of my life

But I'm all for eco-friendly businesses, and if there were 2 rival companies selling what I wanted and one was eco-friendly while the other wasn't I'd definately use the eco-friendly one. I'm trying to operate in an eco-friendly way with my slate signs - I only use recycled/recycleable packing materials. We should all do our bit - even if it's just a little 

[yankieGirl]

First off, I love this site.
Second, you asked everyone's opinion.

Respectfully I ask, are you kidding?  You still buy this man-made climate change and the whole carbon foot print scam?  Guys, you are being duped and people are making a ton of money making everyone feel guilty!

[Fergie]

First off, I love this site.
Second, you asked everyone's opinion.

Respectfully I ask, are you kidding?  You still buy this man-made climate change and the whole carbon foot print scam?  Guys, you are being duped and people are making a ton of money making everyone feel guilty!

Does it matter whether human activity is responsible for climate change?  The fact remains that the climate is changing, with resultant changes in sea level, whether or not it is man made, and we have a responsibility to our grandchildren to do whatever is necessary to minimise the effect for them.

John

[Fergie]

A couple of points to ponder.......

following the explosion that destroyed BP's Deepwater Horizon well, 4.9 million barrels of oil were spilled, resulting in havoc in the area (and a huge political fuss).

Yet, with an average consumption of more than 20 million barrels of oil per day, industry and consumers across the US would have gobbled up the entire spill in just a few hours.

It puts the enormous consumption of oil into perspective.   

Another fascinating fact (extracted from New Scientist), Eyjafjallajökull, the volcano that closed Europe's airspace and stumped English-speaking newscasters trying to pronounce its name, is estimated to have emitted between 150,000 and 300,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide a day.

That's less than the grounded flights would have emitted, making it the first carbon-negative volcano! 

John

[Shnoowie]

Happy - You must have so much space!  10,000 saplings must have been hard work, but must have left you with a good sense of achievement.

Yankie - I asked the opinion of everyone because I think it is important to get a balanced view before I make any decisions.  And to be honest...if each tree cost me £100 I'd feel I was being duped, however, with trees starting at £5 at my local garden centre I don't think they're trying to cash in in that way!

Fergie - I agree that we need to do what we can for our children/grand children...maybe instead of planting trees we should be investing in carbon-negative volcanoes!

[doganjo]

Ok, here's my tuppence worth - regardless of whether there is climate change or not, I believe we should all be reusing, recycling whenever we can, and that includes anyone planting trees to replace what is being cut down all over the world.  My reason is that we have only a finite number of resources on this planet and the population is always growing, so we should do some standard economics and save whatever we can whenever we can.  To me it's just common sense.  So Like Karen, if there were two business selling exactly what I want I'd choose the one that was putting back into the world what others have taken out.

[Bright Raven]

The one constant is that climate will change. It has very little to do with carbon dioxide be it man made or not.
Yes, be more sustainable in your use of materials, it makes sense, be resourceful and we will put less pressure on the system.
No, don't swallow the politics that will have you believe you need to pay more tax.
GREENPEACE CO-FOUNDER QUESTIONS MAN MADE GLOBAL WARMING - INTERVIEW

http://www.theblaze.com/stories/greenpeace-founder-questions-man-made-global-warming/

Choosing between a carbon neutral company or another? I will go for the most cost effective for me.

[yankieGirl]

Shnoowie:  I meant I wouldn't give my opinion on this hot button issue if you hadn't asked.  I also am all for being a good stewart of what God has given us.  I resent the attempt at income redistribution in the guise of helping "save the planet".  I resent Uncle Sam telling me I have to use these stupid pigtail light bulbs.  I resent being treated like a complete idiot who doesn't know enough not to soil in her own nest!  I am frustrated by those who wont think for themselves, instead buy into every "feel good" program that comes down the pike.

Heck yea, plant trees!  Just don't let the gov't tell me I have to.  

DON'T TREAD ON ME!!

There...I'm done.  Thanks for the ear.

[yankieGirl]

Bright Raven,  you truly are BRIGHT.

[oink]

bright raven - some say he's paid to say that

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/georgemonbiot/2010/dec/02/sumatra-rainforest-destruction-patrick-moore

yankieGirl - are you by any chance a supporter of Sarah Palin?

Shnoowie - I think it's a good idea.  Everything else being equal I would buy from a carbon neutral company over one that wasn't

[Bright Raven]

It's a struggle to know what is toxic, what sources are trustworthy. George Monbiot of the Guardian........ toxic - in my opinion. He backed the 1010 climate change campaign.

Fear and taxes, I am not laughing.  This video was pulled shortly after the launch of the campaign due to such a bad response.
Fear tactics..... Toxic.

EPIC GREEN FAIL!!!!

Oink, Perhaps you could explain why YankieGirl is a supporter of Sarah Palin in your opinion, this seems like a bit of a cheap shot?

[waterhouse]

I think it's hard to believe that a world population of 7bn and rising fast doesn't have an effect on the climate.  But whether or not it does the fact is that we've used up the easy to get oil and gas so energy prices will keep rising and the risks of extraction will get bigger.  Oil shale and tar sands are ugly sources of the stuff, while Uncle Sam's use of grain to make hooch to drive cars is morally and economically criminal

Much of the oil we use in Western Europe comes from places which are politically unstable and have deplorable governance. 

So why would anybody not want to cut down on waste and reduce their costs?

[oink]

I can easily see to be the problem with that video but I have to be honest and admit that I nearly fell off my chair laughing when the teacher blew up the kids.   

I guess it was a cheap shot but I'd still be interested in yannkiegirls answer.  I first heard a comedian mention it but there does seems to be some truth to it.  Most lefties believe in man made climate change and most deniers are right wingers.  I have absolutely no idea why as the two don't really seem to be linked except perhaps the fact that government intervention will be needed to reduce carbon usage.  That makes me wonder if it's the answer they disagree with or the solution.