Question

According to Bumpus and Liverman, what are some of the authors' critiques of the carbon offset market in terms of its environmental outcomes? In terms of its social and development outcomes?

a) Environmental outcomes: Ineffective at reducing emissions; Social and development outcomes: Widening social inequalities
b) Environmental outcomes: Successful in reducing emissions; Social and development outcomes: Promoting social equity
c) Environmental outcomes: Limited impact on emissions; Social and development outcomes: Fostering community development
d) Environmental outcomes: Positive effects on emissions; Social and development outcomes: Addressing poverty and inequality

Answer 1

Bumpus and Liverman critique the carbon offset market for being ineffective at reducing emissions, and potentially widening social inequalities.

Step-by-step explanation:

According to Bumpus and Liverman, critiques of the carbon offset market in terms of environmental outcomes include ineffectiveness at reducing emissions, thus reflecting limited impact on actual pollution levels. Concerning social and development outcomes, the carbon offset market is critiqued for potentially widening social inequalities rather than promoting social equity or fostering community development. These critiques come from a broader skepticism of market-oriented environmental policies, where the effectiveness of such tools depends heavily on how they are implemented and regulated, with the potential for such mechanisms to, paradoxically, also entrench poverty, inequality, and environmental crises if not carefully managed.