Vox Pop - Says carbon credit funds should only be used for abatement

Vox Pop

I have written to the Vox Pop once before on the carbon credit program the county forestry committee had again considered and digested. I congratulate them at saying no at this point.

Their largest objection was the 40-year life of the contract. One should note there is a very strong chance that before those 40 years are over, many members, if not all members of the county board will most likely be gone. This is not by being voted out or resigning, this would be nature’s no escape method.

The responsibility to deal with the contract and any remaining years will then fall on the following generations. This can be compared to the current older generation leaving the legacy of climate change for the younger generations.

In both cases, those now controlling the local government (the county board) must and I mean must do the best possible (which I actually believe they do.) Our future children and generations are still depending upon the current generation. Do not back stab them.

Another issue I find rather frightening with this carbon credit program is, as Jake Walcisak brought to the table, this is a private enterprise program for C and Cs (companies and corporations). It is a defining habit of C& Cs to engage in endeavors to enhance their bottom line, increase their profit margins, put money in their bank accounts and pockets all at the expense of the public and world population.

Are these carbon credits just a ploy, a smoke screen, to give the C& Cs “bragging rights” as mentioned in the December 15 Star News editorial whereupon they can ignore the real issues and never clean up their destructive “acts.” In other words, just a con job imposed upon the American public.

Would not the money be better spent within their C& Cs to clean up their carbon pollution?

Then again, if they can con the American people, the future generations and children and put more money in their pockets why not? They will probably never need to live with all the legacy they left behind.

I would have few objections to the county signing a carbon credit contract if: 1. The county considers the 40 year contract deep and hard (no loopholes) to climate problems during the life of the contract.

2. The county protects itself and its citizens in strong fashion (again no loopholes) over those 40 years. This is key and paramount.

3. All money received from the carbon credit contract and I mean all (except for that set aside for future monitoring)goes for carbon abatement and climate change abatement within the county.

Not to do so, even if the program is a subtle con job would be a telling admission that so many of us, the current controlling government and generation of people don’t really give a damn about my and our children’s children or of any future for the planet and all those that follow.

The primary and largest problem, also the most crucial to the entire world is climate change. Danger encircles the plant from east to west, north to south. If not corrected and stopped it is on a well-oiled path to virtually destroy much of what now exists.

While it appears we have many options, if we do not quickly engage those options it will become too late.

That’s why I believe any Money received for carbon credits (if it happens) must be used for carbon abatement, for climate change abatement.

Whether I’m right or wrong is of very little matter. The best would be if I am wrong, then we all win. The worst would be if I’m right and we do not respond sufficiently and quickly, then we all lose and lose harshly. That is a very poor option.

We should all remember about climate (weather) and climate change, it has absolutely no understanding of borders and boundaries, it goes where it wants, does what it wants, destroys what it wants. There is no mercy. It does not heed “no trespassing” signs. Our trees in our Taylor County Forest and the trees in the national forest located within our county borders can do well without supervision and monitoring. This includes any money.

If supervision and monitoring is needed, look to and think of the human race.

— Walter Tomczyk, Dorchester