[Peakoil] Planting Trees - an Indulgence?

[Adrian Whitehead]

A great little excerpt from Melbourne's Public Transport Users Association a
came across while researching.

"In the fifteenth century in Europe, the Protestant Reformation overturned
social and political structures, precipitated two centuries of religious
warfare and laid some of the groundwork for the modern era. The Reformation
began as a reaction to the corrupt habits of the Church at the time,
foremost among which was the practice of selling 'indulgences'. For the
right price, wealthy sinners could buy a place in Heaven and be absolved of
their past and future sins.

What does medieval history have to do with the environmental impact of cars?
Very little, were it not that the ancient practice of selling indulgences
has found a modern equivalent in some schemes that promise to absolve people
of environmental responsibilities in return for money. If you are at all
concerned that your car is contributing to climate change, never fear: for
just $40 a year (tax deductible!) you can arrange to have enough trees
planted that the emissions will be cancelled out and you can drive to your
heart's content."

See full article at http://www.ptua.org.au/myths/trees.shtml
 
Adrian Whitehead
M: 0403 735 118