This was left as a comment to a post at Watts Up with That and Anthony felt that it deserved a post of its own:
Carbon CreditsThis is only the first half. Farmer Steve has a good head on his shoulders and an awesome bullshit filter.
I have changed my mind about participating in the carbon credit program. And have resolved to give the money I received to St Jude�s Children�s Hospital.
Here is why.
Recently I sat in the fire hall with a few dozen farmers. We had been invited to hear how we can get paid for carbon credits.
The speaker explained how their satellites can measure the carbon in our land individually and how much money we could get. Then asked for questions.
I asked �what is the source of this money�?
The presenter said it comes from big companies that pollute.
I asked �where do they get this money�? He had no answer.
So I answered for him, asking, �won�t it come from everyone who pays their power bill�? He then agreed and said �that could be�.
I then said isn�t this about the theory of man made global warming? he said �we are not going to talk about that�. Here they are on the prairie soliciting land for carbon credits tempting us with free money.
I am sure this will come as a great surprise to you and you will be shocked. SHOCKED!
Carbon credits have a dual purpose:
1. they make an investment look like a tax write off. By this I mean Mr Gore can funnel credits through Generation Investment Management (and get money from it) and call it a tax write off.
2. they make something that seems distasteful and politically incorrect, suddenly okay. For example: Logging is evil. Logging is bad. (Forget that we live in houses made of logs for a minute.) Now, in the carbon credit world, young trees count more than old trees. So you have to plant young ones, cut them down and replant. That's much better. Of course, it's still logging.