Problem: Carbon dioxide (CO2) is a greenhouse gas that contributes to global warming. We all emit CO2 when we drive, fly, use electricity, generate waste and even when we breathe.
Solution: Now you can actually invest in renewable energy, energy efficiency, and reforestation projects that reduce carbon dioxide emissions. So on one hand, you produce, and on the other, you reduce.
Climate change has become one of the most talked about environmental and social issue of the century.
To tackle this challenge, people, industry and organizations have modified their normal processes to help reduce their contribution of CO2 emissions. There are programs available that allow you to pay a calculated price to offset your carbon footprint by investing in greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction projects. Examples of these projects are carbon sequestration, habitat protection, methane digestion and renewable energy. The price is calculated by assessing either your overall lifestyle or a certain part of your lifestyle (flying, driving, energy consumption, etc.).
Delta was the first domestic airline to offer carbon offsets to our customers. Last June we partnered with The Conservation Fund (TCF) to help protect and restore natural habitat across the world. Today, when you book on delta.com, you can make a contribution to TCF’s Go Zero program to plant trees to offset the carbon emissions from your flight.
Picture: Delta’s own Steve Tochilin and Jaime Jewell assisted in the planting of more than 234,000 trees on 775 acres as part of a joint effort to help enhance wildlife habitats and fight climate change.
On June 10th, representatives from TCF, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), Environmental Synergy Inc (ESI), Delta, U-Haul and others, joined to announce the restoration of 775 acres of forestland in central Kansas. The Marais des Cygnes National Wildlife Refuge supports a mix of wetlands, bottomland and upland forest and tallgrass prairie habitats. Across the nation, nearly 80 percent of bottomland hardwood forests have been cleared for farmland and tallgrass prairies have been reduced by 99 percent. The land was planted by ESI and will be managed by the USFWS. ESI will monitor the newly restored forest for carbon accumulation using on-site measurements over time.
To calculate your carbon footprint:
Meghan
Sustainability Intern
Environmental Health
April 3rd, 2009 at 9:08 pm
[...] few U.S.-based airlines, such as Continental and Delta, attempt to meet green desires by offering programs that allow travelers to offset their share of [...]