CO2compensation - only a means of selling indulgences?
 

Since its foundation in 1991, PrimaKlima supports two complementary options to mitigate climatic problems: reducing the amount of CO2-emissions as much as possible and sequestrating the amount of CO2 that was not yet avoided by technical or biotic means (for example via afforestation).

For almost as long as PrimaKlima exists, the compensation of greenhouse gases has been regarded as a means of selling indulgences - a means that has no other meaning than to ease one's conscience. This is an absurd estimation - proven by the fact that the PrimaKlima afforestations are real and the PrimaKlima trees have been growing since 1991. And there is no doubt about it: the PrimaKlima trees absorb a lot of CO2 each and every year. Nature constantly absorbs CO2 from the atmosphere. When greenhouse gas emissions increased as a consequence of human activities, nature itself intensified the sequestration of CO2. But nowadays mankind releases a lot more CO2 (and other greenhouse gases) than nature is able to absorb at the same time. Currently, oceans and land vegetation are only able to neutralize about half of all greenhouse gases emitted, whereas 150 years ago, nature was able to compensate 100 percent.
(see "The problem" und "Solution approach").

What could be more important for everybody than to miminize one's own greenhouse gas emissions and to become climate neutral as soon as possible? If - at the moment -no more than 20 or 30 percent of all anthropological emissions could be avoided (generally speaking), technical projects aiming for emission-avoidance have to be supported and/or other biotic means designed for CO2 sequestration have to be initiated. By supporting nature's capacity of absorbing CO2 you have chosen the cheapest and most effective way to achieve climate neutrality. If the donor follows the idea of PrimaKlima (biotic compensation), PrimaKlima will ensure the highest degree of reliability concerning the absorption of CO2; the typical PrimaKlima time frame of 50 years guarantees that 5 times the initially intended goal will be reached. Furthermore, there are lots of additional positive effects for nature and the people living near the PrimaKlima project areas (see "PrimaKlima work").

PrimaKlima asks one essential question: Is it appropriate that those organizations or people that publically demand every individual to reduce emissions do not lead by example, take action and neutralize past and present CO2emissions? These organizations and individuals include scientists that work in the field of climate research, political parties, governments and even the Church. They all attest and pretend that they support climate protection but when asked to make a donation, other issues suddenly are of greater importance. This behaviour is quite scandalous! (See "Current issues / News/opinions).

Thanks to all those who already understood what we have to do in order to save the globe and act accordingly (See "They took action already").