Carbon offsetting - anyone else think it is a cop-out?

[Callisto]

It seems to me (to mis-quote the Friends of the Earth chap on this morning) that we should be cutting emmissions not salving our conscience by planting a tree or putting veg waste into plastic containers. What does everyone else think?

Too right, Callisto.

Agree Callisto. More on offsetting here .

I suppose carbon offsetting 'might' just be a good thing if it gets people thinking about their own, personal impact on global warming but really I agree that it's just a salve to people's consience and any good that it does do is so small (compared to the harm that's being done) that it's like using a band-aid to cure a broken leg
But then what can we expect when our leaders are of the opinion that combating global warming's fine as long as it doesn't stop their 'right' to enjoy long-haul holidays

surely carbon offsetting should be used in conjunction with emmissions cuts in order to mitigate those emissions that can't be cut out?

You can cut your personal emmissions as far as possible but unless you stop buying manufactured/farmed things,don't use any kind of transport etc you're still going to have a negative impact on the environment. So offsetting can work but only alongside emmissions cuts

HT, yes that's true.

On another point, David Miliband's recent announcement regards having a 'code of conduct' for offsetting organisations is a good idea. It should be clear where someone's offset money is going. At the moment it isn't.

Agree with both Callisto and HT's points. Yes, offsetting is not ideal unless you also change your lifestyle to cut your emissions. BUT, if you've got no choice, or have already decided you're going to do something (fly to NZ to visit relatives for example), then the least you can do is try to put something back in order to balance out your decision. Not sure I'd use an offsetting company though, and think all the emphasis on planting trees is a bit misguided, but maybe make a donation to Friends of the Earth, or to a charity working to save the rainforest?