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Thinking of taking off for the summer? Airfare for summer travel to domestic destinations is down more than 9 percent on average from 2008, while overall summer fares to destinations in Europe are down more than 19 percent, according to Farecast. On the down side, most airlines are charging extra for even a single bag and what about that excess carbon baggage you’d be packing?
A single passenger traveling round trip from New York to L.A. will be responsible for emitting about 1,500 lbs of carbon, on average, according to the TerraPass carbon calculator. Terrapass only looks at a few airlines, but you get the picture. So how can you visit your family without damaging the planet?
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You can invest in alternative energy and other global warming mitigators by buying carbon offsets.
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While price is most travellers’ top concern, you can, whenever possible, patronize airlines with good environmental records.
The nonprofit Climate Counts, which ranks companies by their efforts to combat climate change, recently began rating airlines and hotels. Northwest Airlines scored the highest 39 out of 100 points followed by Southwest Airlines (37), American Airlines (35), and United Airlines (28).
Carbon offsets can be purchased from companies that use your money to fund renewable energy, such as wind and solar, methane entrapment and energy generation projects, and biofuels. Theoretically, these carbon-reducing projects balance out your carbon-emitting travel.
But before you buy, ask offsetters how much of your fee goes directly to fund projects, and how much to the companies’ own administrative costs.
Ask yourself this: Are you paying yourself to pollute without guilt, or taking steps to reduce carbon where you can, in home energy consumption, transportation and food and water (non-bottled) choices? After all, every American is responsible, on average, for the release of 26.5 tons of greenhouse gasses. You might be able to “offset” your flight without buying offsets!
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- Airlines Go Kicking and Screaming into Europe’s Carbon Trading Program
- Japan Airlines launches carbon offset program