Flying the Carbon Neutral Skies?
| Fri Sep. 18, 2009 9:15 AM PDT
In a world of new checked baggage fees, intrusive airport security and dwindling airline services, here's some airport news to feel good about. The San Francisco airport will install Climate Passport kiosks so that passengers can calculate their trip's carbon emissions and pay to offset their portion of the damage. Funds raised will benefit a reforestation project in California's Mendocino County. David Knowles explains the benefits and risks of this news:
One-way from SF to Boston produces 1,999 pounds of CO2. The computer suggests a dollar amount for passengers to donate to Bay Area projects that specifically target carbon emissions (and there are quite a few of them here). For that ride to Boston, for instance, the touch-screen kindly suggests you donate $12.24. You can even check out Climate Passport website before your trip, and see how much carbon dioxide hypothetical itineraries might use.
Of course, the timing of this idea is both crucial and unfortunate. Crucial because we need to offset carbon emissions more than ever. Today, NOAA reported that the average ocean temperature in August hit an all time 20th Century high this year. But unfortunate because who in this economy is going to shell out even more travel money to support projects that they have to give the benefit of the doubt to?
Of course, the success of the program will depend on the number of passengers who actually pay for the offsets and whether other airports embrace this option. But let's hope that airlines don't use the new policy as an excuse to punt on other important aspects of environmental efficiency.
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Comments
More guilt, so more money for whom or what?
Submitted by Barry on Sat Sep. 19, 2009 1:54 PM PDT.
Carbon offsets is an idea I wished I had thought of. Preying on people's guilt, "non-profits" are making a bundle.
Check out the IRS 990 forms for your favorite carbon offset "non-profits." You and I should be in this business. One, carbonfund.org, started just a few years ago in a couple's house and now is a multi-million dollar/year business with a nice staff. What is really funny is where their money goes...again it is all spelled out in the Form 990s for the past few years. You can view them for free at www.guidestar.com.
About 37 cents of every dollar you donate goes to a project in S. America or some such place. Actually, that goes to the local "non-profit" that then plants trees or whatever. When all is said and one, your dollar is diluted so much you would have been better off to go buy the trees yourself and hire some one to plant them in your neighborhood. You would get a better bang for the buck and the place now looks better, too!
Bottom Line: if you want to be effective, don't send your money to some one for dissemination. The return on the dollar is pitiful. hmmm....kinda like taxes. Send them to Washington so they can redistribute some portion after administration costs.
cleaning services
Submitted by cleaning services (not verified) on Tue Oct. 6, 2009 1:39 AM PDT.
During the last Ice Age, the glacial northern ice cap extended down into the American Midwest, covered over New York under a mile of ice, and down into California.
what does the army predator
Submitted by coolpete on Sat Nov. 14, 2009 8:47 AM PST.
what does the army predator fly with?
DIY Car Hire in Hobart
Submitted by DIY Car Hire in Hobart (not verified) on Tue Oct. 6, 2009 1:41 AM PDT.
Since the warming period began, the glaciers have been driven back by about 2,000 miles to the top of Canada and Greenland.
BSkyB is perhaps the last
Submitted by holidays to costa blanca (not verified) on Mon Nov. 2, 2009 9:08 AM PST.
BSkyB is perhaps the last company I'd expect to receive a press release from claiming to be environmentally friendly. But that's exactly what's just happened.
Greener skies
Submitted by coolpete (not verified) on Fri Nov. 6, 2009 1:01 PM PST.
Two major European airlines are offering their passengers a chance to do something about global warming.
British Airways and most recently Scandinavian Airlines System have established programs that give travelers the opportunity to pay carbon-offset fees to help fund clean technology projects.
Aviation industry observers say it is too soon to know whether such voluntary fees will catch on among airlines or gauge how effective they are in curbing greenhouse gases.
how much do fighter jets
Submitted by coolpete on Thu Nov. 19, 2009 2:07 AM PST.
how much do fighter jets pollute the skies?? they dnt seem to, do they??
the airbus 380 is the
Submitted by coolpete on Fri Nov. 20, 2009 11:05 AM PST.
the airbus 380 is the biggest passenger plane ever and yet the least polluting, hats off to the creators!!
In a world of new checked
Submitted by acne care products (not verified) on Tue Nov. 24, 2009 8:25 AM PST.
In a world of new checked baggage fees, intrusive airport security and dwindling airline services, here's some airport news to feel good about..thats true thanks for the post ..amazing one
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