More on carbon sequestration.

Michael Hanlong posts in A carbon cop-out?:

But the main problem with offsetting is that it is, at best, a sticking plaster. If we are serious about reducing carbon dioxide emissions, then simply paying £30 to a company every time we jet off to the tropics is the equivalent of putting a paper bag over our heads and wishing the problem away.

I agree and don't feel that carbon sequestration is going to pay off long term, it is too difficult to validate and the consistency is low, especially when you're dealing with third world countries. If it seems too easy and good to be true, it probably is. However, it is worth a look at current practices and opportunities.

For $5 and up a (metric) ton, you are offered several options to offset this according to the Consumers Guide to Carbon Offsets. Looking at the US, in 2005 human activity produced 6,008,000,000 metric tons of CO2 according to the EIA. $30 billion and we've just taken care of the CO2 emissions of the US for a year, thats obviously me taking the thing to an extreme, but the point must be made, are you making a difference with your money? The EU just wasted billions when it could of spent millions. Also, keep in mind, that planting trees doesn't necessarily cut it.

Here is a list of carbon offsetters I could find, see for yourself which projects you think are worthwhile. Each link below will go to a list of their projects.

Carbon Counter and Climate Trust ($12 a ton) have many of the same projects in Oregon, some tree planting, RE, and efficiency.

Native Energy ($12) has a lot of wind energy projects.

Terrapass ($8-$10) has wind energy, biomass, and efficiency projects.

Atmosfair ($20) is a German group with world wide projects.

CO2 Balance ($18) does mostly reforestation with an energy efficiency project in Kenya.

Carbon-Clear ($18) only lists one tree planting project in India and Tanzania.

Carbon Planet ($18) does tree planting in New South Wales.

Climate Friendly ($15-$20) does wind energy in Australia and New Zealand.

Carbon Fund ($6) can pick RE, efficiency or reforestation.

Conservation Fund ($4) does reforestation projects in the US.