How to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint on Your Next Flight
Carbon offsetting isn’t a perfect solution, but it is an easy way to give back.
One of the most pressing issues we’ll face in our lifetime, the whole topic of climate change is extremely doom-and-gloom. That sense of dread and overwhelming helplessness is fully warranted no matter how vigilant you are about recycling and turning off the lights when you leave a room, it begs the question: What can one person do?
If you like to travel, and often do so by plane, prepare yourself for more grim news: Air travel is one of the biggest perpetrators of climate change. According to the EPA, aircrafts contribute 12% of US transportation emissions, approximately 3% of the country’s total greenhouse gas production. Every time you hop on a plane, you contribute to that rising statistic.
March 1, 2021 Share
Costa Rica is encouraging tourists to offset their trip’s carbon emissions. Everything from flights to activities while on holidays can be logged into a carbon calculator that reveals their net carbon footprint and its costs. The visitors can then invest the sum into reforestation efforts or other regional sustainability initiatives.
(Credit: NatureForGirls from Pixabay)
The project, known as Fonafifo, is a collaboration between the National Forest Financing Fund and the Costa Rican Tourism Institute. It aims to support local environmental projects that promote sustainability while nurturing local culture and economic prospects.
All the funds will go towards natural regeneration, tree planting, agroforestry, and protecting hydrographic basins. The money will be managed by a national program directed by Fonafifo called the Payment of Environmental Services Program (PSA) – which works directly with conservation groups, organizations, farms, and la