Lots of companies are persuading Green minded people to part with their hard earned cash by offering them schemes to "offset" their carbon. Unfortunately it is now clear that Carbon Offsetting projects are just not working. George Monbiot has compared them to the sale of absolutions in the 15th and 16th centuries. This was a system where people could pay the priest for the forgiveness of their sins. Just as in the 15th and 16th centuries you could comit sins without fear of eternal damnation, today you can live exactly as you please as long as you give to one of the companies selling indulgences. "It is pernicious and destructive nonsense". Monbiot argues that by selling us a clean conscience, the offset companies are undermining the necessary political battle to tackle climate change at home. They are telling us that we don’t need to be citizens; we need only be better consumers.

Friends of the Earth is becoming increasingly concerned that carbon offsetting is being used as a smoke-screen to ward off legislation and delay the urgent action needed to cut emissions and develop alternative low-carbon solutions. Offsets can even encourage businesses and people to continue with (or even increase) unnecessary polluting activities, promoting the mindset “I’ve offset so it’s OK to fly”, “I’ve offset so it’s alright to drive to work”, etc.

Journalists such as Nick Davies of the Guardian and Sophie Morris of the Independant have also written articles attacking the greenwash of the offset companies.

So what are good greens to do? If we can't salve our conscience by offsetting that flight to go to our Grandmas funeral in Austrailia, or the petrol we've used in our car when we really should have used our bike or caught the bus- what is the ethical thing to do?

Obviously we do have to consider our own lifestyle choices and we all have a responsibility to try and reduce our carbon footprint to "one planet living"- that is a lifestyle such that if everyone on the planet lived in the same way, the earth could still sustain it. But if you have already turned down your thermostat, stopped flying, committed yourself to using bike or public transport wherever possible and ensured your house is very well insulated it may be very difficult for you to further cut your carbon footprint without the help of politicians.

That's where the Green Party come in. Our elected politicians are already making a huge difference to Councils up and down the country. Just have a look at what has been happening in Kirklees. Here in Sheffield our Councillors have got funding for a New Year's Day bus service, funding for a new post at South Yorkshire Energy Centre to help people make their homes more energy efficient and recycling bring banks across Central Ward.

To expand our influence need funds to successfully fight election campaigns. We don't have the backing of big business or the Trade Union movement (although lots of individual trade unionists are now turning to us) so we need the donations from individual supporters to help us make an impact.

In Sheffield we need cash to start to target more wards, so we can increase the number of Green Councillors. Nationally we need to ensure that at the next General Election we get the important breakthrough we need by getting our first MP's elected. In 2009 we will be contesting the Euro elections, and with the proportional representation system we fully expect to be able to increase our number of MEPs from the current 2. But all these campaigns will cost lots of money. We cannot guarantee that by giving it to us it will offset your carbon emissions - but we can guarantee that every penny will be spent wisely to try to get as many Greens elected as possible.

Please consider setting up a regualr standing order to help us achieve a more sustainable Sheffield, or make a one off donation. If you are not yet a member, please join us!

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