picture: http://www.instituteforenergyresearch.org/energy-overview/hydroelectric/
article: http://green.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/10/14/on-our-radar-skepticism-on-carbon-offsets/?partner=rss&emc=rss
The Clean Development Mechanism, created by the Kyoto Protocol, is a carbon offset program that allows companies in industrialized countries to sponsor reduction projects. When doing this in developing countries, they earn carbon credits. Since hydroelectric dams have been constructed in China, large amounts of credits have been given out. Some people say that this is an abuse of the system, because of the number of people/countries taking this opportunity.
An Italian engineer has signed a contract to build an experimental fusion reactor. It will begin to operate in a proposed decade, after the multibillion-dollar facility has been built in France. Full fusion power is expected to start much after this though.
A proposed "green investment bank" was brought up by the British Treasury. This would provide billions of dollars to the aid of financing clean energy products in the future. Low-carbon infrastructure is also a topic in this discussion.
Another negotiation being made is involving one of Europe's last remaining primeval forests, Bialowieza Forest. It is located on the border of Poland and Belarus. Environmentalists wish to build a national park that would cover a portion of the forest, but many others argue that this area should be protected, as it is like the last coral reef.
Opinion: There are many discussions going on about alternate energy sources, experimenting with energy, and funds for these things. I think that it is very good that these are being thought out because we really do need to find new ways for energy. About the hydroelectric dams, I am very approving. I also think that it was clever to give out credits to those countries that funded the multiple greenhouse gas reduction products. I believe that it is extremely necessary for countries to unite and resolve our problems involving energy. If we all work together, we will hopefully find new and improved ways to collect energy for everyday use.
1) Are the carbon credits a good or a bad thing?
2) What other countries have been working together to discover new energy sources?
3) New energy sources have been found. Are they cost efficient? How could this be changed?
WELCOME BACK BLOGGAZ!! I think all of this is great. The credits are a good idea, but also kind of unneccessary. Although it is getting countries to get involved in the whole "reduction" process, it also shows that we need to be rewarded for doing so. We should all be doing this on our own. I strongly support the experimental fusion reactor. This could be a HUGE help for alternative energy sources development. I really hope this experiment is successful! As for the saving money for potential alternate energy sources, I think this is great! It is a very positive and logical idea. The only thing I don't agree with in this article is the idea of a national park that would cover some of Bialowieza Forest. Can't we just leave the forests alone??
ReplyDelete1. Carbon credits are a good and effective idea, but it's also unneccessary.
2. USA (Wooh!), Britain, Japan, and China are the main researchers and developers.
Back to bloggin.Already this blog is getting more positive by describing changes that our society is trying to carry out. I totally agree with Jake when he says that these credits can be very helpful but unnecessary. It’s like when parents use gifts and possessions as motivations for doing work and the right thing. Unless the kid is 5, he should being doing the job already without being asked a lot. These very developed countries know that they are the biggest contributors to global warming so why are you rewarding them for doing something they should have started a long time ago.
ReplyDeleteAlso what are these carbon credits? Are they like a points in school kind of thing or something that would actually benefit industries and countries? In addition who gives out these points and what exactly determines whether businesses/countries get to earn these credits.
Aside from the credits, the fusion reactors seem like a weak source to use for energy. It seems like not only are fusion reactors questionably productive, but they are also very expensive and, according to Nicole, won’t start for at least a dozen or so years. These facts seem to prove that fusion reactors are still not a viable option for alternative energy.
1. Like Jake, I think that these credits are a tiny bit productive and a little helpful but they shouldn’t have to be necessary.
2. Some countries include: USA, Germany, India, China, Japan, Spain, and the UK
3. There are a good number of renewable/alternative energy sources but the problem with them are the facts that if almost every circumstance is not met, they will not function and also most are not cost effective for individual households.
I think it is great that we finally have a positive blog. All those other blogs about water were getting boring. As Dylan and Jake said i think these credits are great, but unnecessary.I remember when i was kid playing soccer way back probably when i was 5 or 6, i would make a bet with my parents saying if i score i get 20 dollars. It is the same concept. 1. I think they could be good, but again unnecessary. 2. USA, Germany, Japan, and Spain to name a few. 3. I think some are cost efficient, but the ones that are not could be fixed by just experimenting to come up with less expensive ways.
ReplyDeleteI found this site expanding on the topic:
http://www.bnet.com/article/what-is-carbon-credit/187036
I actually think that the idea of carbon credits is a good idea. A lot of countries are now a lot of countries are now starting to conserve energy and use new forms of it. It is definatley making an impact on the enviornment. While i can kind of see the point that it is "unnecessary" i dont agree with it. In my opinion i feel that if this is what it takes to get countrieds to start being more energy efficient that it is what is necessary. Energy is one of those problem thats needs to be acted upon fast. If carbon credits are what finally make countries start saving energy and being more energy efficient that thats what need to be used. It is being used to motivate countries to be more energy efficient ands I'm o.k. with that. Sometimes, incentives are needed to motivate others to do something, in this case its become more "green". The countries being greener because of an incentive sure beats the countries not being energy effiecient and all the problems that come as result of that. Question one asked, do you think carbon credits are a good idea? Obviously the answer is yes. It is helping out energy crisis tremendously and i think it is definatley whats needed at this point in time, atleast until the energy problem gets better.
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