Terrapass Unveils the Carbon Balanced Business
by Sami Grover, Carrboro, NC, USA on 01.16.08
The folks at Terrapass have just unveiled their latest product aimed at making carbon offsetting accessible and easy for the masses. The Carbon Balanced Business is, in fact, an extension of work the company has already been doing with businesses and organizations to offset their footprint. Now, however, businesses of all sizes can offset their emissions by using a simple, easy to use carbon calculator that walks you through the various emissions-causing activities of your business, such as on-site electricity use, off-site server energy use, corporate travel, employee commutes, etc. The hope is that companies who previously have not considered offsetting due to the time and complication of auditing their impact will be able to quickly and efficiently calculate their carbon footprint and take steps to a)reduce it, and b) offset the rest. For more thoughts on carbon offsetting, check out our guide on How to Green Your Carbon Offsets, and if you are looking for more information on Terrapass in particular, take a look at our interview with VP of Marketing Adam Stein, or read up on Terrapass’ staff resolutions for 2008. ::Terrapass::via site visit::
I can't believe people are still using the term "offset". Sure, carbon-dioxide pollution can be offset by storing it in the ground, where we found it in the form of oil. But that's not what is happening. I think if these companies sold their service honestly, I wouldn't gag at their mention. Something like this:
Give us money and we will build clean energy sources to power the world (maybe not in your neighborhood, but somewhere). All the while, we will sell OUR clean power for a profit and keep it all for ourselves. You continue to use coal and gasoline, and the more you use (and pay repentance for), the more carbon you offset! Deal?
At least then, we could say, "Ok, that plan is for me!" without being duped, should we choose. But without the truth, what do we have? Another buyer-beware company.
I'm really surprised schemes like Terrapass are legal, but then again, Bush supports voluntary regulation (oxymoron), so Terrapass is Bush friendly - not likely to be questioned.
Next, we'll see "wasted water offsets" where, after wasting water, you can send a check to someone producing potable water that they sell to someone else.
I don't see carbon "offsets" as the distraction some argue, just flat out deception. What would you say to Wal-Mart selling offsets at the register to pay for new solar panels to put on their mega-stores? "Help save the planet! The more you buy, the more you save! In fact, I think I'll e-mail Andy Ruben with that idea right now.
Excellent article about this idea at Good Magazine, here, http://www.goodmagazine.com/section/Features/buy_now_pay_later