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Do any of you pay for carbon offsets? (lemmy.ca)

submitted 1 year ago by SkepticalButOpenMinded@lemmy.ca to c/asklemmy@lemmy.ml

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Of course, it's better to emit less carbon, and support systems and policies that emit less carbon. That said, carbon emission is unavoidable, and I'd like to minimize that portion of my impact as much as possible.

I am definitely willing to pay to offset my carbon usage, but I'm under the impression that this is mostly a scam. Does anyone use these services? If so, can you tell me what reasoning or sources you used that satisfied you that the service your chose isn't a scam?

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[–] deranger@sh.itjust.works 6 points 1 year ago (2 children)

Forests do not offset carbon emissions unless the trees never decay. Unless you’re burying them underground after you cut them down, this method is not removing carbon from the atmosphere.

[–] Ajen@sh.itjust.works 5 points 1 year ago (2 children)

Why does it need to be underground? If it's processed into lumber (for houses, etc) the carbon is still removed from the atmosphere, it's it not?

[–] deranger@sh.itjust.works 1 points 1 year ago

True, as long as that lumber never breaks down, it will be a carbon sink. You’d need to keep it from decomposing forever, however.

[–] Eheran@lemmy.world 1 points 1 year ago

Correct. As long as the wood is around, the CO2 is bound.

[–] MentalEdge@sopuli.xyz 3 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

Yes. That's why they're a scam. They don't mean shit.