Thread by @FlightFree2019

A THREAD ABOUT AVIATION AND CARBON OFFSETTING
The aviation industry claims that its growing emissions are sustainable with the use of carbon offsetting, a view often shared by eco-conscious frequent flyers. So why should people stop flying when they can offset instead? …

… The short answer is that offsetting merely swaps action in developed countries for action in developing countries when BOTH are urgently needed to prevent climate breakdown. (A longer answer can be found in this @FOE report: friendsoftheearth.uk/sites/default/…) …

…In addition to this, many offsetting schemes simply don’t deliver emission reductions. A 2017 EU study showed that a whopping 85% of the offset projects used by the EU under the UN’s Clean Development Mechanism failed to reduce emissions…
transportenvironment.org/news/85-offset…
Via @transenv

… Many environmentalists and climate scientists, including @KevinClimate, see offsets as “dangerously misleading” as they enable individuals to feel they’re being eco-friendly, without actually changing their consumption habits …
nature.com/news/the-incon…
Via @nature

… Others argue that offsetting is an excuse for developed “nations to avoid the more difficult structural and regulatory change necessary to prevent further global warming”. …
theconversation.com/carbon-offsets…

… Some types of offsetting are better than others. While tree-planting schemes may seem especially appealing to eco-conscious frequent-flyers, they’re relatively ineffective and ethically problematic in comparison with investments in energy efficiency. …
ethicalconsumer.org/energy/short-g…

… For example, a major REDD+ forestry offset scheme in Madagascar has been accused of making some of the poorest people in the world foot the bill for the frequent-flying lifestyles of some of the richest. …
independent.co.uk/environment/ma…

… So while investing in ethical and effective carbon reduction projects is clearly worthwhile, if we want to prevent climate breakdown, we need to be doing this IN ADDITION TO reducing our own personal emissions.

… If you fly once a year or more, one of the most effective things you can do as an individual to reduce your personal emissions is cut back on your flying. So please consider signing our #FlightFree2019 pledge to stay on the ground in 2019.
ipetitions.com/petition/nofly…