More and more people, small businesses and large, gas-guzzling companies are becoming hip to carbon emissions offsets and carbon-neutral lifestyles. But are carbon offsets really worth the hype? And what exactly are they offsetting?http://www.newser.com/2008 - Newseren-usNewser Feed GeneratorWed, 03 Dec 2008 22:11:12 CSThttp://www.newser.com/story/42901/rivals-meeting-today-could-benefit-both-men.html?refid=rss_all_defaultMeeting today in Chicago to bury the hatchet, Barack Obama and John McCain could each be of considerable use to the other, the Wall Street Journal notes. Working together, McCain could get his maverick groove back, and Obama could get help on these key areas: Auto efficiency: McCain has worked with Obama ally John Kerry in the past on this priority for the new president.http://www.newser.com/story/42901/rivals-meeting-today-could-benefit-both-men.html?refid=rss_all_defaultMon, 17 Nov 2008 7:36:15 CSThttp://www.newser.com/story/38901/calif-adopts-stiff-anti-sprawl-law.html?refid=rss_all_defaultThe country's most aggressive anti-sprawl bill was signed into law by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger yesterday, the Sacramento Bee reports. The "first in the nation" bill mandates regional targets for reducing greenhouse-gas emissions and uses $5 billion in transportation funding as an incentive to stimulate denser residential development. “This fundamentally changes the way we think about growth,” says the Democrat who sponsored the measure.http://www.newser.com/story/38901/calif-adopts-stiff-anti-sprawl-law.html?refid=rss_all_defaultWed, 01 Oct 2008 12:50:58 CDThttp://www.newser.com/story/38796/hefty-carbon-tax-raised-norways-emissions.html?refid=rss_all_defaultIn 1991, Norway enacted a punishing carbon tax, but things haven’t turned out quite as expected, the Wall Street Journal reports. Greenhouse-gas emissions have actually risen 15%, and industries deemed vital to the nation’s economy or image were spared the tax or given sweet deals. Though the oil and gas industry has become more eco-friendly, Norwegians are driving more than ever.http://www.newser.com/story/38796/hefty-carbon-tax-raised-norways-emissions.html?refid=rss_all_defaultTue, 30 Sep 2008 14:13:01 CDThttp://www.newser.com/story/38331/gore-calls-for-civil-disobedience-vs-coal.html?refid=rss_all_defaultEarth defender Al Gore is calling for a campaign of civil disobedience and protest to halt construction of 48 coal plants that lack the technology to capture and store carbon, Reuters reports. "If you're a young person looking at the future of this planet, I believe we have reached the stage where it is time for civil disobedience," Gore declared to loud applause at a Clinton Global initiative gathering in New York.http://www.newser.com/story/38331/gore-calls-for-civil-disobedience-vs-coal.html?refid=rss_all_defaultWed, 24 Sep 2008 22:25:30 CDThttp://www.newser.com/story/35905/chinas-power-pollution-to-pass-us.html?refid=rss_all_defaultCarbon emissions from China's mostly coal-fired electric power industry will exceed those of the US this year for the first time, the Washington Post reports. China's runaway economic growth means its power industry's carbon emissions will double by 2020, predicts the Center for Global Development, a Washington-based think tank. Power generation accounts for 27% of all carbon emissions worldwide.http://www.newser.com/story/35905/chinas-power-pollution-to-pass-us.html?refid=rss_all_defaultTue, 26 Aug 2008 22:57:50 CDThttp://www.newser.com/story/32799/mccain-flips-on-emissions-standards.html?refid=rss_all_defaultJohn McCain seemed to flip-flop on auto-emissions standards today, telling a group of General Motors engineers he supported states’ rights to set their own levels, the Detroit News reports. McCain told the newspaper last month he supported a nationwide standard. Automakers support a national standard because they fear the expense of catering to different restrictions in different states.http://www.newser.com/story/32799/mccain-flips-on-emissions-standards.html?refid=rss_all_defaultFri, 18 Jul 2008 13:33:28 CDThttp://www.newser.com/story/29573/high-gas-prices-are-good-for-detroit.html?refid=rss_all_defaultSky-high gas prices are finally pushing top US auto-makers to turn out fuel-efficient vehicles, and both Detroit and Washington should keep the pedal down to make a permanent change in how, and what, Americans drive, the US top car salesman tells the Wall Street Journal . "You have to tell the American people the truth," the CEO of AutoNation says. "Energy costs will be higher."http://www.newser.com/story/29573/high-gas-prices-are-good-for-detroit.html?refid=rss_all_defaultMon, 09 Jun 2008 7:59:13 CDThttp://www.newser.com/story/28722/global-warming-deniers-plan-carbon-belch-day.html?refid=rss_all_defaultAmericans should waste all the energy they can on June 12, says conservative grassroots group Grassfire.org, in order to free themselves from “carbon footprint guilt.” Grassfire doesn’t believe humanity is to blame for global warming, and wants to strike back against “climate alarmists.” Organizers suggest having a barbecue, going for a drive, leaving the lights on, and/or smoking a cigar.http://www.newser.com/story/28722/global-warming-deniers-plan-carbon-belch-day.html?refid=rss_all_defaultThu, 29 May 2008 11:38:54 CDThttp://www.newser.com/story/28708/w-coast-cities-boast-smallest-carbon-footprint.html?refid=rss_all_defaultWest Coast metro areas boasted some of the lowest carbon emissions per capita in the country in 2005, according to a ranking of 100 urban areas by the Brookings Institution. Honolulu topped the list, followed by Los Angeles, the Portland-Vancouver area, and New York. Population density, mild climates, and aggressive energy-reduction policies got credit for the smaller footprints.http://www.newser.com/story/28708/w-coast-cities-boast-smallest-carbon-footprint.html?refid=rss_all_defaultThu, 29 May 2008 7:26:29 CDT