I'm getting tired of all the recycled stories about folks shirking their personal responsibility for CO2 emissions by buying carbon offsets.

To be sure, the skeptics raise valid concerns about additionality and lack of regulation; they also give folks an excuse not to do anything. After all, why would someone spend money on "dubious" carbon offsets–particularly in a society where folks are used to getting rewards (aka air miles) for their credit card spending?

Back in the days when I was flying 100,000 miles per year, I had all the frequent flyer miles I could possibly use, and I used them all up. When I left Nike and vowed to fly no more, I lost my appetite for air miles and, thus, have never even considered applying for a rewards credit card.

This morning, I stumbled upon a post about the Visa GreenCard. You would think that a post about a credit card made from corn instead of PVC plastic would sing the praises of carbon offsets. Instead, there was the now customary discourse on carbon offset issues. The conclusion: no conclusion at all, other than buyer beware.

Come on folks–we're talking about changing behavior here! What better first step than to get folks to give up their air miles (which they otherwise would be inclined to use to fly somewhere) in favor of investing in carbon offsets?

I don't make it a habit to carry a lot of credit cards, and the ones I do use have been in my wallet for more than 20 years. But I am going to apply for a Visa GreenCard (as soon as they are offered in the U.S.) for two reasons: 1) because every time I use it I will be making a conscious buying decision as well as a contribution to reducing CO2 emissions, and 2) because my use of a "green" credit card might spur a conversation with the store clerk that ends up raising his/her awareness about global warming.

There's a reason they call them affinity cards. And my affinity for carbon neutrality should be pretty clear by now.

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