Interesting charge registering for a tri today - carbon credits

If you rode your bike there would you get money back?

So, who ended up getting your 7 cents and what are they doing with it?

Just say no.

I think this is a fabulous idea.........

The liberal side of my Independent streak thought the same thing, and the conservative side, said  "eh, it's only 7 cents, fuhgeddaboutit."  I had the option of paying it myself or having the race directors pay for it.  It's local and it's not a large chunk of change.  I don't mind supporting their need for green, either way.  Now if it was for the Ironman 70.3 in Florida, and me taking a plane was $100 in credits, I'd let WTC pay that one. 

Id have told them I'll pay it when Nancy Pelosi stops flying from Washington to California every week.  Then I'd have ran over and huged a tree. 

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Thanks but no thanks...

I think it all goes to Al Gore so he can stay warm during this cold "global warming" winter.

7 cents!
I had to pay 34!

More and more event planners/race directors are trying to do the right thing with regard to sport's impact on the environment.  Our sport (along with golf) is probably one of the most invasive with all the goodies we use and toss aside.  If there is a way to lessen the impact it is not a bad thing.

But I also would question where this fee goes other than the RD's pocket.  If it is donated to local green charities or something that is cool.  Or used to pay for recycling and volunteer time.

More than likely these things are just profit for someone up the line.

Sounds like a scam to me...think about it, are you really off setting any carbon "foot-print" that you have generated or are you just lining the pockets of someone who is trying to guilt you into giving them money? Better yet, how much are they planning to charge you for breathing? Besides, where is the money going that is being collected? I would almost bet that they will come back with “it’s going to research” or some other nefarious cause within the carbon foot-print craze.

There are many ways to be eco friendly without being scammed. A more generous use of funds would be to local charities that support families in need or to families of soldiers that are currently deployed and need assistance.

I think it's an interesting idea, but I would question where the money goes.  Without a clear understanding of that, I wouldn't do it. 

More feel-good symbolism.

I'd go to the local nursery and buy a tree to offset my carbon footprint.

Plant a tree.

How do they factor in the cost?  Are they assuming everone is traveling as an individual and not carpooling?  As long as the charge is voluntary that's fine; how people spend money to make themselves "feel good" about themselves is their own call.

I unfortunately exhale CO2 with each breath when participating in a race, will I get charged for that, because I tend to breath pretty hard?  I am all for green events and conducting a race that is friendly to the environment that we are borrowing for our races, in the use of recycled materials ... etc.  However, this whole carbon credit push is a complete waste and does nothing to actually improve, preserve, enhance our communities and "planet."  It is something that makes some people just feel "good" about themselves for the day. 

Seriously, we may drive to an event, but then we swim, ride a bike and run on the power of our own two feet?  It isn't like we are all fueling up our monster trucks for a big rally.  Our local races started using the swim caps as the bag for the goodies at packet pickup and dispensing with the extra bags ... etc.  Seems like a fine way to cut down on waste without having to pinch participant's pockets with a carbon credit.

Lol, it's hilarious how many successful scams are out there that are based off something that has to do with being "green". Still though, I will do anything to help out the environment that will also a) save me money and/or b) help out my training. After all, I don't bike to work as much as possible because I buy into the "carbon footprint" nonsense (sorry, I'm an engineer, I learned how to actually decifer "scientific evidence"...)

I get a kick out of this thread. The Musselman in upstate NY has been doing this for a few years. I want to make sure I understand this. There are people who are saying no to a 7 cent tax to offset a carbon footprint while riding $2500.00 carbon bikes, using $300.00 carbon cyling shoes, $200 - $300 polypro wetsuits, $150.00 running shoes? Even if the money went to the Race Director (It doesn't) who cares? I would glady pay Jeff Henderson (RD for Musselman) 7 cents for all the work he puts into organizing a first class event. I say give back a little bit to the environment and be happy about it.

Kevin