Recently came across this article in Mint which mentioned of a start up by the name of carbonyatra.com which intends to sell carbon offsets to individuals. The proceeds of the reduction certificates bought from this company will be used to invest in jatropha plantations in Uttarakhand, resulting in a plant in the name of the buyer of the offset. Interesting?
http://www.livemint.com/2007/08/28235844/Save-the-earth-online-offset.html
Well I dont think so!
The company it seems intends to blend capitalistic motives with social ones by capitalising on the guilt we face by driving fuel guzzling vehicles or sitting down in air conditioned buildings day in and day out! But what guilt.....in a country where people dont care to keep the roads clean, have no civic sense, blame the Mumbai Municipal Corporation for flooding every year even whilst they make little effort to dispose of garbage at the place and in the manner its supposed to be disposed - I doubt that such an initiative can work.
Also the business model reminds me of those numerous timber plantation companies that came up in mid 90's and duped unsuspecting investors.....the likes of Golden Forest etc.......individuals who have been even remotely associated with such incidents may like to entirely refrain from this scheme.
The article suggests that it will cost approx Rs5,500 for a family that uses 850kWh of electricity a month and drives 2 medium sized petrol cars, to offset their carbon emissions for a year. Though this seems like a rather miniscule amount when compared to the amount asked for similar schemes in Europe.....yet the ignorance of we Indians when it comes to global warming and the initiatives being taken to contain the effect.....may become a roadblock. Also a vast majority of Indians may not be able to afford this annual expense of Rs5,500.
Thus though the idea is noble....its effectiveness in the Indian context remains doubtful!
http://www.livemint.com/2007/08/28235844/Save-the-earth-online-offset.html
Well I dont think so!
The company it seems intends to blend capitalistic motives with social ones by capitalising on the guilt we face by driving fuel guzzling vehicles or sitting down in air conditioned buildings day in and day out! But what guilt.....in a country where people dont care to keep the roads clean, have no civic sense, blame the Mumbai Municipal Corporation for flooding every year even whilst they make little effort to dispose of garbage at the place and in the manner its supposed to be disposed - I doubt that such an initiative can work.
Also the business model reminds me of those numerous timber plantation companies that came up in mid 90's and duped unsuspecting investors.....the likes of Golden Forest etc.......individuals who have been even remotely associated with such incidents may like to entirely refrain from this scheme.
The article suggests that it will cost approx Rs5,500 for a family that uses 850kWh of electricity a month and drives 2 medium sized petrol cars, to offset their carbon emissions for a year. Though this seems like a rather miniscule amount when compared to the amount asked for similar schemes in Europe.....yet the ignorance of we Indians when it comes to global warming and the initiatives being taken to contain the effect.....may become a roadblock. Also a vast majority of Indians may not be able to afford this annual expense of Rs5,500.
Thus though the idea is noble....its effectiveness in the Indian context remains doubtful!
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