Thomas says:

#28
> A bit like indulgences? Yes. If you need to drive and do
> buy the indulgences, it is still better than if you didn’t
> buy them. If you can avoid driving, do so.

Pretty much the same scam as indulgences. The argument that it is “safe” to drive and buy them rather than drive alone ignores two important facets: trust in the company to which you invest your “carbon offsets” and opportunity costs.

First, you are assuming that the investment company (sorry, the carbon offset company) is actually doing substantively positive things to the degree invested by you. I suspect that the reality is that they are doing some things that pass off as positive while mostly using your money to make more money for themselves.

Second, and this is the concept that so eludes liberals, you are ignoring opportunity costs. There are inumerable other things you could have done with that money that would have likely given you far more utility (economics lingo for satisfaction) and been far more effective in assisting environmental concerns than dumping it into the veritable black hole of carbon offsets. You could have invested directly in companies developing clean energy technologies. You could have given the money to charitable organizations that are actually out in the field improving and protecting natural resources. You could have even invested the money so that given some appreciation you could afford a cleaner, more fuel efficient vehicle. In short, there were many other ways you could have invested your money that would have done more for the environment than purchasing carbon offsets. Carbon offsets are basically a scam to make you feel better about polluting.

Mark says:

FYI, the “one sprays, one doesn’t” pic showed jets at different altitudes, thus different air conditions, one that forms contrails and the other was probably in warmer air. Similarly, the one that “turned on the spray” was either climbing or descending into different conditions. Pretty simple, unless you’re INSANE!

Plasma says:

I farted several times in the past few hours. Beer farts — YAH, they offended me too — at least your nose wasn’t here.

We need to outlaw beers, to eliminate the methane threat from beer farts. Imagine how much damage is done to the atmosphere during an international futbol (soccer) game, or the Super Bowl in the USA?!!!?!

Beer farts from the stadiums, beer farts from televised fans — holy hoppin’ beer fart, Batman — it’s enough to melt an icecap or two!!!?!!!?!

Alternately, if you like beer, help reduce landfill emissions of methane by insisting your local government uses the systems found here: http://www.startech.net/plasma.html

OTOH, keep driving SUVs and farting! Kill your kids with a quick bullet to the head while you’re at it, save them some pain in the future…

Hammer says:

#28 I have some extra carbon credits I am willing to sell you for half price. Please contact me and I will send them to you with a picture of the polar bear that will die a horrible death if people like you don’t buy enough credits.