There’s “green” and then there’s “green.” A New York limousine service, Valera Global, was on the horns of a dilemma. Company’s competitors were beginning to turn to so-called “green” cars like the Toyota Prius. The 14th largest chauffeured vehicle fleet in the nation, on the other hand, had 215 limousines and SUVs including the Lincoln Town Car (of course) and the GMC Yukon Denali.
So, the company had to decide whether it was economically feasible for it, too, to go “green”. Owner Robert Mackasek ultimately decided that it would not be feasible. But not wanting to be a detriment to the environment, Valera Global joined the Chicago Climate Exchange (CCX), which is the world’s first and North America’s only voluntary legally binding greenhouse gas emissions registry, reduction and audit.
As a member, Valera Global is required to report its carbon emissions to the organization. Then it pays a sum of money, which helps to finance approved programs like reforestation and the development of wind and solar energy projects.
It is a plan that has been kicked around for awhile and the conservative politicians in the U.S. seem to like it. In fact, even Democratic candidate Barack Obama seems to favor it.
But the environmentalists are screaming. They argue, rightfully so, regardless of how much money you contribute to an offset program, you are still contributing to the destruction of the planet with the emissions that are going out into the air. Paying an offset doesn’t stop that.
Our take? But what is a business to do? Go out of business because of the push to “green?” Perhaps a more feasible program can be created that combines an offset with a company’s obligation to reduce their own emissions over a period of time.
Whatever is done, the program needs some fine tuning.
via Detroit News
Most Active