Café Inquiry (Online) – Carbon Credits and Offsets

This event is held online. (Click the button to join the Zoom meeting.)

The use of carbon credits and carbon offsets has become a popular approach for addressing the growth of carbon emissions and climate change. There has been a dramatic worldwide increase in carbon offset markets and in “carbon trading”. The global carbon offsets market was valued at more than 900 million dollars in 2022 and has continued to grow. Are these practices effective? Or is their use just a form of “greenwashing”? Join us ONLINE at the next Café Inquiry to examine these issues. And there’s good news! Since we’ll be meeting on Zoom, there’s no need to purchase an offset for your transportation related emissions! Here is some suggested reading for those who would like to explore the topic before our meeting. This brief Penn State Extension article discusses the difference between carbon credits and carbon offsets. This article from MIT News discusses the need for and lack of standards in the carbon offset market. This article from NBC News discusses how carbon credits are used. This Q and A from Carbon Brief is lengthy, but very informative. It explains what offsets are, how they are being used by businesses and nations, and why they can be a problematic climate solution. If you prefer video you can watch this Last Week Tonight segment with John Oliver discussing carbon offsets. Hope to (virtually) see you there!

Café Inquiry starts with a short introduction of the day’s topic, followed by casual discussion.

This event is free and open to the public. Donations appreciated, but not expected.

Attendees are able to future propose topics which would align with Michigan Humanist’s purpose: from atheism, agnosticism, humanism, secularism, and freethinking to broader subjects in science and humanities, such as religion, philosophy, social issues, politics, evolution, morality, ethics, and psychology.

Café Inquiry (Grand Rapids) meets each month IN PERSON on the second Sunday and ONLINE on the fourth Sunday.

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Michigan Humanists values the participation of all guests — requests for reasonable accommodation may be made by contacting the event host at least three days prior to the event.

Michigan Humanists expects all guests to engage in respectful discussion. Critiques on views and claims based on merit are allowed, but not attacks on individuals who hold other perspectives.

Any person engaging in disruptive behavior or harassment will be asked to leave, and may be banned from future events pending the severity of the action. Please speak to the event host or contact info@michiganhumanists.org if you feel these expectations are being violated.