The Cost of Offsetting Your Vacation
One increasingly common approach to addressing the environmental impact of travel is the purchase of carbon offsets – credits that help fund the reduction of emissions elsewhere on the planet. For an estimate of the cost of offsetting common vacation activities, Offsetters Climate Neutral Society, a nonprofit that sells carbon offsets and consults with the travel industry on energy efficiency estimated how much CO2 these activities generated in 24 hours. To work out the carbon “footprint” of running an air conditioning unit day and night, for instance, Offsetters looked at the energy used to power a typical A/C unit for 24 hours and then worked out the average CO2 emissions for that amount of energy use when powered by coal. In the U.S., 19.7 tons of CO2 is emitted per person per year. Burning a gallon of gasoline produces about 20 pounds of CO2. Buying a 1-ton CO2-emission offset from Offsetters costs $20.
Using a Fresh Towel Everyday
Less than 1 cent a day
Carbon Dioxide generated: Washing a towel everyday is responsible for emitting about a pound of CO2.
“Green” alternatives: Many resorts are using energy-efficient machines that use less water during the wash, and extract more water during the spin cycle to save time in the dryer.
An Afternoon On a Jet Ski
$6.60
Carbon Dioxide generated: Spending three hour on a jet ski can emit about 730 pounds of CO2.
“Green” alternatives: Jet Skis that meet 2008 standards are 50% to 60% more fuel-efficient.
Keeping Your Hotel Room Cool
96 cents
Carbon Dioxide generated: Having the A/C on continuously is indirectly responsible for emitting about 105 pounds a day.
“Green” alternative: Some hotels are installing “occupancy sensors,” which can let the temperature when guests aren’t in the room.
Flying to The Resort
Less than 1 cent a day
Carbon Dioxide generated: For a four hour flight, each passenger has a 550 pound carbon footprint.
“Green” alternatives: At some airports, Virgin Atlantic is testing out towing planes to the runway, which could reduce up to 2 tons of fuel per flight (which could reduce overall emissions).
Taking a Dip
40 cents for 24 hours for the entire pool
Carbon Dioxide generated: About 44 pounds of CO2 are emitted each day to run a typical resort size swimming pool (controlling the temperature uses up most of the energy).
“Green” alternatives: Some resorts now use solar-powered heating systems, pumps and purifiers.
A Helicopter Ride
$3.20 a person
Carbon Dioxide generated: 45-minute helicopter tour emits about 350 pounds per passenger.
“Green” alternative: Newer helicopters tend to be more energy-efficient but more-efficient engines using alternative fuels aren’t widely available yet.
Hitting the Gym
2 cents
Carbon Dioxide generated: taking a 45-minute jog on a treadmill in the hotel gym has a carbon footprint of about 2 pounds.
“Green” alternative: A self-powered treadmill requires no electricity because the runner’s motion propels the machine.
Grabbing a Coke From The Minibar
2 cents
Carbon Dioxide generated: A minibar indirectly emits about 2 pounds of CO2 a day.
What an eco-resort would do: Some hotels are installing energy-efficient fridges with better insulation and more precise temperature control.
A Fishing Trip
$3.83
Carbon Dioxide generated: Taking a fishing boat out for about 2 hours has a carbon footprint of 420 pounds a person for two passengers.
“Green” alternative: Some resorts are economizing fuel by installing monitors that limit speed and switching from two-stroke to four-stroke engines.
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