Carbon Neutral?

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070227/ap_on_re_us/gore_electric_bill;_ylt=ArIJshqxTJCqv6P8UXGc9mbMWM0F

So recently a conservative think-tank group attacked Gore by saying that he currently pays on average about $1.2k a month for his electricity bill. The Gore camp fired back by saying:

1) That's a cheap shot. Shoot the message, not the messanger
2) Gore lives a "Carbon Neutral" lifestyle by buying "Green Power"

So this so-called "Green Power" that Gore is purchasing isn't *really* "Green Power." Supposedly, Gore is taking money and investing it in companies that do research in renewable energy and enviromentally-friendly technology. In this way, Gore is "offsetting" his massive use of energy produced by carbon-based processes by investing in companies that will, in theory, produce green technology in the future.

Now, I will agree with the Gore camp that shooting the messenger is kind of cheap. But this whole "Carbon Neutral" thing is complete crap. I'm sorry, but you can't "offset" carbon emissions with investments in companies trying to invent some new "green" technology. Simple illustration (simple because I deem this issue only worthy of mocking, not serious discussion):

Bob's use of energy produces 400 lbs. of carbon a year. Bob's currently investing in GreenTech to offset his carbon emissions (let's ignore the fact right now that the carbon-to-investment math is complete BS). Unfortuantely, GreenTech's new technology won't be ready for deployment for 10 years. So that's 4000 lbs. of carbon that's now in the air. GreenTech's new technology doesn't take carbon out of the air, it just reduces the amount pushed into the air after it's deployed. So the 4000 lbs. of carbon that's been produced over the past 10 years is STILL THERE!!! Where's the friggin' offset?!?! I suppose one could argue that the offset comes in the fact that 10 years later, you're now using 400 lbs. of carbon less than you were before, but that doesn't really offset the 10 years of carbon emissions you helped to produce.

And the problem with the "offset" mentality is that you're assuming that the company you're investing in will actually bear fruit. Chances are it'll bomb. You can't offest your SUV's tailpipe by investing in future technology. If you feel guilty, drive a small car, move into a smaller house, install solar panels, do something that actually lowers your energy consumption! Change your behavior! Stop this "Carbon Neutral" crap because it's not helping!!!