Travelers who feel guilty about the carbon dioxide emissions created by their aircraft can soon visit a kiosk inside San Francisco International Airport where they can purchase certified carbon offsets, thanks to a program that will be launched this spring.
This new program will make the San Francisco the first airport in the United States - possibly the first airport in the world - to offer this program that enables travelers to purchase carbon offsets, which will counteract the pollution created by their flights.
"We'd like people to stop and consider the impacts of flying...Obviously, people need to fly sometimes. No one expects them to stop, but they should consider taking steps to reduce their impacts" explained Steve McDougal In an interview with the San Francisco Chronicle.
McDougal is the executive vice president for 3Degrees, the San Francisco company that will be supplying the kiosks to San Franciso International Airport. 3Degrees sells investment certificates for programs and projects that promote renewable energy and work toward carbon reduction. These small investments are known as "carbon offsets."
How Will the Carbon Offset Kiosks Work?
More than $160,000 is reportedly being spent on the kiosks, which are similar to an ATM machine or those kiosks used for self check-in at the airport.
Travelers will enter their destination into the kiosk and the software will calculate the carbon emissions that the flight will create during the trip. The software then determines the amount of carbon emissions that that one passenger is responsible for, and based on this figure, the kiosk will provide the air traveler with the cost of an investment that will offset the air pollution that will be created by the flight.
Airport travelers can then swipe a credit card to pay for the carbon offset, an investment in a project designed to reverse the effect of air pollution and carbon emissions created by the flight. Travelers who purchase carbon offsets will get a printed receipt that lists the environmental repair projects that will benefit from their purchase.
San Francisco International Airport has apparently entered into a one-year deal with 3Degrees and if the carbon offset program is successful, the kiosks may remain in the airport for much longer.
The airport officials and executives at 3Degrees are optimistic that the carbon offset kiosks will not only raise money for environmental repair projects, but it's hoped they'll raise awareness and educate the public about the dangers of carbon dioxide emissions and air pollution.
While the carbon offset kiosks won't be at the San Franciso International Airport until the spring, environtmentally-conscious travelers who fly Delta Airlines can purchase carbon offsets on the Delta website.
Looking for more hints on green travel? Check out Tips to Save Gas and Drive Green.
Environmentally-conscious people may also enjoy learning about environmentally-friendly toilet paper in Going Green With Family Cloth in the Bathroom. and Environmentally Friendly Toilet Paper Considerations
Mia Carter - Mia Carter - Journalist, Producer/Editor & Web Writer. Carter's work has appeared on CBS and CNN.com.
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