Crush Liberalism

"Carbon offsets" or "carbon credits", either way a shell game

The Gorebots responded after the story of the hypocrisy of the Internet’s inventor popped up a few days ago. Their favorite line? Gore’s not really a hypocrite because he purchases “carbon offsets”!

First of all, “carbon offsets” are nothing more than the modern day enviroweenie’s version of Middle Ages “indulgences” (which were sin taxes). With “carbon offsets”, you can be an energy hog all you like, so long as you pay your “sin tax” later by planting trees, etc. “Indulgences” occurred when the Catholic Church used to “sell” them to the wealthy so they could continue to sin, as if God can be bought (“But Father, she had supple breasts, and I paid 30 pieces of silver for the buxom wench!”).

Secondly, in addition to “indulgences”, “carbon offsets” resemble another medieval “good enough for me, but not for thee” practice: “sumptuary laws”. Per the Virginian:

In the Late Middle Ages sumptuary laws were instated as a way for the nobility to cap the conspicuous consumption of the up-and-coming bourgeoisie of medieval cities. … The danger is that the use of “carbon offsets” will create two things that re morally monstrous: a de-facto sumptuary law and the impoverishments of the poor and powerless of this planet. The creation of an aristocratic elite that differentiates itself from the hoi polloi by its ability to buy “carbon offsets” while the rest of the planet is forced by environmental laws into a smaller and smaller carbon straightjacket is not so far fetched.

Thirdly, “carbon offsets” cannot be accurately measured to calculate one’s true “carbon neutrality” because the actual amount of carbon reduction (if any) from an offset project is largely unregulated and vulnerable to misrepresentation.

Finally, and probably most importantly: Gore’s dedication to purchasing “carbon offsets” is not admirable, because he’s buying them from…himself!

Gore buys his carbon offsets through Generation Investment Management, a group that he founded and on whose board he is the chairman! The firm invests the money in solar, wind and other projects that reduce energy consumption around the globe…a pretty noble goal, right? However, Gore presumably derives a paycheck OR will make money as its investments prosper. In other words, he “buys” his “carbon offsets” from himself, through a transaction designed to boost his own investments and return a profit to himself. In short, Gore isn’t buying “carbon offsets” through Generation Investment Management – he’s buying stock!

Gore runs around the nation and the world trumpeting “climate crisis” and blaming man’s use of carbon-based energy…all while burning thousands of gallons of jet fuel as he goes. His efforts have served to put “climate change” at the top of the international agenda, driving up the value of the stocks and companies viewed as “environmentally friendly”…companies like, oh I dunno, those his investment management firm invest his own and other peoples’ money in! So when Al beats the drum for possible future global warming, he’s also drumming up business.

A master businessman, he is…but so too is he a master hypocrite of the filthiest order.

The best way to stop global “warming”!

March 2, 2007 - Posted by crushliberalism | global warming, Gore, hypocrisy