Assuaging guilt by purchasing carbon offsets is a lot like "cheap grace." Cheap grace means the justification of sin without the justification of the sinner. Or for this arguement, justifies the CO2 emissions without making the polluter change his conduct.
So is Al Gore buying a right to pollute?
Nah, but look here is the thing. It is better then doing nothing. I would rather we trade carbon offsets and make an effort to illicit change then the current situation where most do nothing, and some fight for the right to pollute more.
Comparing electric bills is hardly the way to go about change. What has to happen is everyone needs to look at what they can do to offset usage, wether its compact fluorescents, buying green energy, solar, hybrid vehicles, public transit, etc. If everyone on the planet did this we would have a start. I believe a lot of the people who fight so vehemently against this are really just not willing to give up some convenience or luxury they are accustomed to.
The fact is Al Gore does more then the average Joe to stimulate this kind of change. I could care less about his politics as I am not American. So maybe my judgement isn't clouded by other factors and as such my belief is different.
