More and more lately I have been hearing about TerraPass, a for profit company that allows you to become “carbon neutral” by purchasing a “pass” for your car, flights, or home. The passes vary in price depending on the amount of carbon based pollution they are expected to offset. What happens with the money you pay for your TerraPass?  They invest it in clean energy intiatives, alternative energy startups, and to raise awareness.
Now at first look, this is a great. Those of us who wish to live in a “green” manner but haven’t yet be able to shirk off our polluting ways can give back to offset what we have taken. But look at little closer, you are basically giving your money to someone to invest in an industry that is growing fast.  What do you get back? Good vibes and nothing more. As I mentioned before
Rather than the TerraPass model, where I help others get rich quick on my “good vibes”, I would rather take my and invest it in bond, mutual funds, or other funding sources for environmentally friendly energy companies. This would provide those companies with funding to startup or grow, while still potentially offering me a return on investment in the future.  Just my two cents.