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Planet Money listening notes, They found the exact kind of tree that would…
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- They found the exact kind of tree that would lessen their carbon footprint blow most efficiently and got to work with an organization called CARE situated in the Guatemalan mountains.
The farmers there were not making a good living at the time and the deal here would be that they would in exchange for farming this kind of tree. The company would be more ethical in its approach and the farmers would make money, a pretty good win-win situation.
The result of this was that they got a lot of attention from the media and other companies banked on it too. Hence the NPR reporting team found out that it was the real deal and not a scam
Eventually, though the project had some unforeseen consequences such as disputes with the farmers on the purpose of the tree planting and food shortages in the area.
The consequences lead farmers to plant palm trees instead of the trees (Leucaena leucocepholia) to provide food for themselves. Sheryl also found out that carbon offsetting there only took up 10% of carbon emissions by the factory.
As it turns out the pros outweigh the cons here and companies are not being held liable nor are they changing their approach as carbon offsetting is not the most efficient way to reduce emissions in respect to human and natural life.
- A proper solution to this would be to institute a carbon tax. It's affordable, more ethical on carbon emitters and consumers as calculated by Paul Faeth.
This solution though doesn't change that trees need to be planted and it should be continued and encouraged.