There's nothing green about jet travel. On a flight from New York to Denver, for example, a commercial jet generates 850 to over 1,600 pounds of carbon dioxide per passenger. (You could drive your SUV around for a month for that.)
So you might want to think twice before hopping that plane unless you really have to.
But for those times when jet travel is unavoidable, here are some suggestions that may take a tiny bit of the sting out of it:
- Check with your airline to see if they have programs in place to help address the issue. For example, Northwest has partnered with The Nature Conservancy to create a Carbon Offset Program. Northwest's Carbon Emissions Calculator will estimate the amount of CO2 emissions generated by your flight and provide a suggested voluntary carbon offset contribution to The Nature Conservancy® to remove or sequester CO2 from the atmosphere. (Find out more at http://www.nwa.com/corpinfo/aircares/earthcares.html).
- Pack light. A heavy load burns more fuel.
- Bring your own water bottle. You won't be allowed to bring liquids through security, but once through you can fill your empty bottle at the drinking fountain. That way you can keep hydrated, but say "no" to disposable cups, cans and bottles.
- Patronize local businesses at your destination. Seek out local restaurants and specialty shops, especially those that offer locally grown and crafted items. Not only will you be supporting a more sustainable sector of the area's economy, but you'll come away with a much richer travel experience.
- Seek out greener lodging options. When choosing a hotel, ask what they do to protect the earth. (A good place to start your search is the "Green" Hotels Association's website: www.greenhotels.com.)
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