MaSaRa

Eco-indulgences


The TerraPass seemed like a good idea at first. Offset your carbon output by purchasing your way to zero emissions. Sounded good to my market loving brain. We already get our electricity from Green Mountain, an electrical provider that uses wind energy.

But the more I thought about TerraPass the more I thought about Martin Luther. A popular saying in Luther's time was : "As soon as the coin in the coffer rings, the soul from purgatory springs". You could buy indulgences not only for past sins, but future ones as well. So, a Cross Country Pass could eradicate all the liberal guilt a Hummer driver might have. But would it do any good?

A little guilt is a good thing. While still awaiting better science on global warming, we can do some things about more obvious harms (particulates/asthma e.g.). The Terra Pass just seems like a Free Pass: for the right amount I get to ignore multiple problems I may, or may not, be contributing to, and I may even get to gloat about it. I prefer Playpumps.

And last, the carbon neutral bunch may have some legitimacy probs.

posted by quash @ 10:51 AM