The economy is bad, but people are still flying.
It might be a business trip, or it could be a vacation. Planes are taking off, landing, and burning fossil fuel in between.
You'd like to do something to cut back on your personal greenhouse gas emissions, but what's a person to do when they have to fly and can't walk from Boston to Berlin?
Fly United, and you'll fly with a clear conscience.
The struggling airline will be happy to help you calculate your carbon footprint for that flight you just booked, and then they can direct you to Sustainable Travel International, which is ready to take your money.
They, in turn, will invest your donation in a wind farm owned and operated by BP, the huge oil giant, or other wind farms that are owned by for-profit companies. Makes sense, doesn't it?
Not happy with wind farms? Then your guilt can be turned into a tree planting program in China, one of the biggest polluters on the planet. Sure they could afford to plant their own trees, but why should they spend their money when you're willing to part with your hard-earned coin?
More of an interest in India? Another major contributor of greenhouse gases, but they'll gladly accept your donations to subsidize a start-up company consisting of franchises that will sell solar appliances. The population is doing well, what with all the outsourcing going into Calcutta and Mumbai, taking jobs from the U.S. Why not send them your money as well?
Better yet, keep your money and plant a tree in your own community. Buy stock in BP or one of the wind farms. Invest in your own solar panels or replace your water heater with a tank-less variety.
Carbon offsets are a nonsense and if you're going to waste money, it's better to waste it at home where it might do some good for your neighbor.
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