Well Al Gore can count on a new revenue stream. According to Roundup Web, this is thanks to a new money making racket instituted by the USDA that enables Chevrolet to buy 40,000 carbon reduction tons which is carbon dioxide that is not emitted or removed. This is the result of grasslands being restored in North Dakota’s Prairie Pothole region.

In theory, regional landowners who participate are compensated for the carbon credits generated on their lands. Under the USDA program, landowners consent to having their lands under a perpetual easement but retain rights to work them. Meaning their regular operations of raising livestock and growing hay don’t change. The only caveat, however, are the lands can’t be developed. The carbon storage so-called benefits of this avoided conversion of grasslands are verified resulting in carbon credits. The carbon credits are made available to parties who want to buy carbon offsets on the open market.

There is only one problem, grass doesn’t absorb that much CO2. 40,000 carbon reduction tons aren’t that much since the Prairie Pothole Region of North Dakota takes up most of the state. Carbon offsets themselves are pretty basic. Someone who travels and generates lots of CO2 either by driving or flying can purchase an offset that pays to reduce carbon dioxide somewhere in the world. This is usually done by efforts resulting in more trees being planted or even spurning more algae growth. The below video done by the Cascade Policy Institute goes into a state program Oregon has that utilize carbon offsets. Caron Offsets are nothing more than a feel good measure like recycling. It really should tell you something when environmentalists demonize carbon so much since all life on this planet (including humans) are carbon-based.