The only thing that matters from a mathematical perspective is the net position. If I buy a laptop that embodies, say, 300kg of emitted carbon, and then use th

The only thing that matters from a mathematical perspective is the net position. If I buy a laptop that embodies, say, 300kg of emitted carbon, and then use the money I earn from working on it to capture 300kg (e.g. by planting trees and felling the wood, or by the more advanced less proven techniques) then the overall position is neutral. Obviously the situation would be better if the 300kg were captured without the laptop ever being produced, but that's not a realistic description of how humans operate. Even if I had infinite money anyway, I must eat, I have some basic entertainment needs, I'll get depressed and die if I just sit in my house all day and never do anything, etc. My personal goal is to end each year with a net negative position. Have to at least beat topping yourself, right? </dark>