CARBON MARKETS are a false solution to the climate crisis

    CARBON MARKETS are a false solution to the climate crisis. They are a market-based approach to reducing CO2 emissions. Carbon Markets allow countries or polluters to buy offsets or carbon credits, allowing them to purchase the right to emit more. They are a dangerous distraction to climate action, as they have not only failed to reduce carbon emissions in the past (see the UNs Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) or the EUs Emission Trading System (ETS)), but they have also detrimentally impacted human rights while simultaneously commodifying nature and allowing for business as usual. In this section, you will learn about the dangers of carbon markets and why they are not a real solution to the climate crisis. Tasks: Read all course materials Using the main points in this weeks readings, compose an essay Questions to Answer: What is the difference between a cap and trade and offset system? How do you trade emissions? Think critically about this. What do you think are the potential problems with carbon markets? Why were carbon markets introduced? Why are they a bad idea gone wrong? Learn about how carbon markets increase climate pollution, serve big countries and corporations, and avoid climate commitments. If capitalism and free markets are what got us into this mess, how can we trust that they will get us out?