Celerity
Well-Known Member
TerraPass
Before I go on to a rant, Let me tell you that I love this program, and I'm going for it. I'm alittle put out about their methods of rating your car (My 4Runner 4 cylinder which passes emissions WAY below standards, and gets upwards of 30mpg is lumped in with a Hummer H2) but the idea is sound, and has a possibility of taking off.
Why did I call it "Kyoto for the Car?"
The Kyoto pact assigns a certain number of pollution units. Businesses buy units to judge how much they pollute. After their units are used up, they MUST stop business until next year. So sad, too bad. Companies can also trade units for money, selling off unused pollution units to small developing countries and gouging them for all they are worth. Japan has already bought up all but a few Kyoto units.
The US didn't do that, and here is why: We already HAVE a system in place that is like that. Only our system doesn't force a shutdown after exceeding - It merely puts a cost on all "loaned" pollution units. It's been around for over a decade now, and it's called "The Chicago Climate Exhange". Since we already have a system that is more stringent, and yet better for companies (They don't have to buy price-gouged units from other countries / industries) we have turned down Kyoto.
And TerraPass uses the Chicago Climate Exchange. So it's the american version of Kyoto. Now, here is why I challenge you:
If you don't buy into this program you'll prove to be the same type of person that you have blasted for not going with the Kyoto pact. End of argument.
I'm doing it, I wanna see how many people here do it as well.
Oh, and another point, if this program is successful, we will see it as a permanent replacement for any state's Emissions Program. that's right, you can mod all you want - When you go for emissions you WILL pass, because there is no fail. You'll be charged based on your pollution contribution (High emissions, you have to buy 2 units of TerraPass to get a pretty Terra sticker)
They keep 10% or less of their money, only to get out of being called a Not-for-profit company (NFP companies can't get capital, and all incoming investments must be in foundation grants - Which in turn, are illegal to go towards government spending programs like wind power, solar and the like)
Will this make a difference ? Actually - Yes. For driving your car, you're going to pay an environment group to buy units from the Chicago Climate Exchange and remove them from play. That means that companies need to work to get a more environmentally friendly method, or the CCX credits will be gone. If you drive a gas guzzler, you will have a dandy little sticker to display that shows you have given to energy-alternative resources - Actively.
Tax write-offs? Nope. The intent is to make THIS the emissions program of the future. Scientists and Politicians alike realise that the real pollutants don't come from cars - Cars run so fuckin clean nowadays that they are neglible in the scheme of things. But they are part of the problem. Now the rest is this fine question:
"How do we transfer funding from the industrial sectors to the renewable resources sector?"
"Why does a Honda owner pay the same for environmental causes and government programs as an Excursion driver?"
"Why have we found an effective way to get land use and pollution monies from ATV and Dirtbike riders, and not an effective way to get it from cars?"
All of these questions are answered by this program. But they can't do it without our support.
Cliff's Notes: Buy Terrapass or you're a bolshevik weenie, Hippy.
-> Steve
Before I go on to a rant, Let me tell you that I love this program, and I'm going for it. I'm alittle put out about their methods of rating your car (My 4Runner 4 cylinder which passes emissions WAY below standards, and gets upwards of 30mpg is lumped in with a Hummer H2) but the idea is sound, and has a possibility of taking off.
Why did I call it "Kyoto for the Car?"
The Kyoto pact assigns a certain number of pollution units. Businesses buy units to judge how much they pollute. After their units are used up, they MUST stop business until next year. So sad, too bad. Companies can also trade units for money, selling off unused pollution units to small developing countries and gouging them for all they are worth. Japan has already bought up all but a few Kyoto units.
The US didn't do that, and here is why: We already HAVE a system in place that is like that. Only our system doesn't force a shutdown after exceeding - It merely puts a cost on all "loaned" pollution units. It's been around for over a decade now, and it's called "The Chicago Climate Exhange". Since we already have a system that is more stringent, and yet better for companies (They don't have to buy price-gouged units from other countries / industries) we have turned down Kyoto.
And TerraPass uses the Chicago Climate Exchange. So it's the american version of Kyoto. Now, here is why I challenge you:
If you don't buy into this program you'll prove to be the same type of person that you have blasted for not going with the Kyoto pact. End of argument.
I'm doing it, I wanna see how many people here do it as well.
Oh, and another point, if this program is successful, we will see it as a permanent replacement for any state's Emissions Program. that's right, you can mod all you want - When you go for emissions you WILL pass, because there is no fail. You'll be charged based on your pollution contribution (High emissions, you have to buy 2 units of TerraPass to get a pretty Terra sticker)
They keep 10% or less of their money, only to get out of being called a Not-for-profit company (NFP companies can't get capital, and all incoming investments must be in foundation grants - Which in turn, are illegal to go towards government spending programs like wind power, solar and the like)
Will this make a difference ? Actually - Yes. For driving your car, you're going to pay an environment group to buy units from the Chicago Climate Exchange and remove them from play. That means that companies need to work to get a more environmentally friendly method, or the CCX credits will be gone. If you drive a gas guzzler, you will have a dandy little sticker to display that shows you have given to energy-alternative resources - Actively.
Tax write-offs? Nope. The intent is to make THIS the emissions program of the future. Scientists and Politicians alike realise that the real pollutants don't come from cars - Cars run so fuckin clean nowadays that they are neglible in the scheme of things. But they are part of the problem. Now the rest is this fine question:
"How do we transfer funding from the industrial sectors to the renewable resources sector?"
"Why does a Honda owner pay the same for environmental causes and government programs as an Excursion driver?"
"Why have we found an effective way to get land use and pollution monies from ATV and Dirtbike riders, and not an effective way to get it from cars?"
All of these questions are answered by this program. But they can't do it without our support.
Cliff's Notes: Buy Terrapass or you're a bolshevik weenie, Hippy.
-> Steve