My First 'Carbon Credits' Offer Arrived in the Mail | Bob McCarty Writes

I knew it would happen eventually and, yesterday, it did: I found my first offer to purchase so-called “carbon credits” had arrived in the mail.

A review of the offer, which arrived in the form of a postcard-size insert inside the envelope carrying my monthly electric bill, left me scratching my head and wondering.

Delivered under the banner of AmerenUE’s Pure Power program, the offer implies that I need only check the box on my bill to sign up for 100% P.U.R.E. and become a “P.U.R.E. Genius” — that is, a member of the group of “People Using Renewable Energy.”

Video: Shatner: Cut carbon emissions 80% by 2050. Yes, That Shatner.

Advocating for Sierra Club's Two Percent Campaign (as in cutting carbon emissions two percent a year for the next 40 years), William Shatner says, "Together we can meet the challenge of global warming."

Stay rational on climate change - On Line Opinion - 7/11/2008

...Still, dissenting from any aspect of the wide-ranging orthodoxy can see you branded a dangerous sceptic. You can be orthodox on cause, but disagree on effect, and be labelled a sceptic. You can be orthodox on cause and effect, but object to carbon pricing as a response, and be labelled a sceptic. You can be orthodox on cause, effect and response, but question “cap-and-trade” emissions trading, and be labelled a sceptic.

We have arrived at the absurd point where you can be orthodox on everything, but disagree with the government’s timetable for emissions trading, and still be damned as a sceptic. Try criticising green shibboleths like light-rail and bicycle paths and you can be tarred as a sceptic for that, even if you are otherwise orthodox.

Clearly, it’s about framing debates and manipulating public opinion. “Denier”, “sceptic”: bludgeons to keep people in line and intimidate troublemakers. Shudder at the consequences. How many millions of dollars will be squandered, how many livelihoods put at risk, and how many opportunities lost, owing to fear of these reprehensible tags?