CA: Governor, a frequent flier, to buy pollution offsets from forest

Sac Bee ^ | 3/8/07 | Matt Weiser

[NormsRevenge]

California's green governor will again go boldly where few politicians have gone: He plans to buy carbon credits to offset the greenhouse gas emissions from his extensive air travel.

Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is working with Pacific Forest Trust, a San Francisco group, to offset the emissions. The trust manages a carbon credit program at the Fred M. van Eck Forest near Arcata in Humboldt County. In short, the trust sells the trees' ability to absorb carbon dioxide released when people burn fossil fuels.

The 2,100-acre forest is owned by a foundation affiliated with Purdue University in Indiana. It is the only entity certified to sell carbon credits by the California Climate Action Registry.

"Protecting the environment is a top priority for Gov. Schwarzenegger," said Aaron McLear, the governor's press secretary. "A carbon credit program makes sense as a way to offset emissions from his air travel and serve as an example for others to do their part to protect the environment."

The governor will use personal funds to purchase the credits both for state business trips and personal trips.

Aircraft, like automobiles, emit carbon dioxide when they burn fuel, and the gas remains airborne for decades. This unnatural buildup of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere traps heat near the Earth's surface, which scientists say is to blame for the globe's gradual warming.

The warming could melt glaciers, raise sea levels and dangerously alter weather unless greenhouse gases are reduced. Schwarzenegger and his administration have been praised as leaders for their efforts ...

--snip--

Schwarzenegger commonly flies several times a week, using charter jets, between the Capitol and appearances and a home in Southern California. He also has a vacation home in Idaho. Tallying those air miles each year is a large task, and measuring emissions adds many variables.

[HuntsvilleTxVeteran]

ROFCFA!

[rocksblues]

I guess it's true, there really is something in the air in California.

[EagleUSA]

Barf bucket please. A tax by any other name....here it comes.

[Zuben Elgenubi]

The Austrian Oak should be his own carbon credit

[when he was in competitive body-building, he was known as the Austrian Oak]

[avacado]

"In short, the trust sells the trees' ability to absorb carbon dioxide released when people burn fossil fuels."

This is complete nonsense about these trees being carbon offsets. The trees were going to be planted regardless! If they want to purchase trees to truly offset carbon output then they need to buy trees that are about to be destroyed (burned). And not trees that were going to be planted regardless of any silly "offsets."

[P-40]

I wonder how many credits they can sell before the forest is declared...full?

[farlander]

Ya know, it just amases me - all of a sudden, all these folks that own forest land can derive income for just having the forest. I think it'd be very interesting to find out who actually owns all these carbon credit offset assets. Al Gore buys carbon credits from his own carbon credit selling company. I betcha a buncha liberals own the other companies doing the same, in order to cash in on their own propaganda.

[w1andsodidwe]

I betcha a buncha liberals own the other companies doing the same, in order to cash in on their own propaganda.

Ya think? I think you can depend on it.

[Toggameid]

Buy near worthless land
Sell carbon credits
???
Profit!

[msnimje]

.
Carbon offsets are a tax on hypocrisy.

[ARE SOLE]

Arnold, a member in good standing of the Film Actors Guild, F.A.G..


Regards.

[Rockhound]

Well, since I live on a few wooded acres, I guess I am generating my own carbon credits? It may be time to go look at a new SUV.

[P-40]

Buy near worthless land

I'm starting to look into buying up some floodplain along the river and putting a conservation easement on it, for the taxes, and selling 'carbon credits' to any and all takers. I'm running into problems with the latter though. For some reason people see my legitimate business plan as a...scam.

[bicyclerepair]

I didn't know that trees' O2/CO2 metabolism was so exactly known.

What a bunch of @$$clowns these libs are. It just makes me sick to hear the name algore. ACCHHH my fingers just typed it.

[layman]

the trust sells the trees' ability to absorb carbon dioxide released when people burn fossil fuels.

When this forest burns down, thus releasing the carbon dioxide back into the atmosphere, do you get a refund?

[NRA1995]

Sorry, kids, I think "carbon credits" are plain old-fashioned HORSESH*T being sold to a gullible public.

[tioga]

now go wash your hands.......!

[P-40]

When this forest burns down

I wonder if they plan to periodically cut down the forest and bury the wood out in a desert so it won't burn or rot. Otherwise, I think you would soon run out of credits to sell.

[Old Professer]

I'll gladly pay you Tuesday for a hamburger today.

If they were serious about using forests as sinks for CO2 then they would remove and bury all the dead leaves, branches, twigs and fallen trees to have a positive effect; most forests are almost self-sustaining by their own decaying floor after time and maturity of the standing trees.