A couple of weeks ago I argued that certain types of carbon offsets could represent a Coasean bargain over the external costs (if any) involved in fossil fuel use imposed on other people. Paying someone else not to use fossil fuels does not rise to this level. The only sort of scheme I would invest in is one that, for instance, funded sea defenses in Bangladesh or something concrete of that ilk that mitigated damages. Most of the current schemes out there are simply peddling indulgences and enriching mostly the people who arrange the trades (green versions of Nathan Detroit, of you will).

I’m glad to say that some groups on the left also see through this charade. Here’s an AlertNet essay, for instance. RisingTide, a group of environmental activists in the UK, recently occupied the offices of the Carbon Neutral Company in London. And Carbon Trade Watch has issued an 80 page report entitled “(PDF) The Carbon Neutral Myth: Offset Indulgences for your Carbon Sins.”

But perhaps the best commentary of all is the website CheatNeutral:

What is Cheat Offsetting?When you cheat on your partner you add to the heartbreak, pain and jealousy in the atmosphere.
Cheatneutral offsets your cheating by funding someone else to be faithful and NOT cheat. This neutralises the pain and unhappy emotion and leaves you with a clear conscience.
Can I offset all my cheating?First you should look at ways of reducing your cheating. Once you’ve done this you can use Cheatneutral to offset the remaining, unavoidable cheating

Now, if Gore uses Carbon Offsets, I wonder if his former running mate…

Naaah.