Zero Footprint

So, like many good citizens I try to do my part to reduce my carbon footprint. And I have tried to remind others of little ways they can change. I reduce, reuse, recycle; I don’t drive and try to car pool or take public transport; I am vegetarian and try to “eat local”. I have even created a culinary festival to promote regional cuisine and foods and increase awareness of the issue.

But after a car accident last year, I don’t like to go on the highway as often. I have to travel around the province for work frequently. As a result, I fly more frequently. Of course, this has a large footprint.

So, I was online booking flight this evening and noticed “offset your flight” as a small link under the ton of “small print” on the intinerary. To be honest, I am not sure how long it has been there (I booked with Air Canada and book as often with Air Canada as with WestJet for both personal and business). It might not be new, but I noticed it for some reason today. And for an extra $6.40 I offset the flight across the country. Considering how much I paid in taxes, fuel taxes, airport taxes, etc. that was pretty cheap.

So, it was http://www.zerofootprint.net/ that I purchased it from and will make an effort to do so from now on for all flights I book. Now if only Air Canada would just add it on to the ticket price as an option, that would be good.

As I am on the site reading about the organization, I see one of their partners — ZeroFootprint Energy. Well, I live in a energy-rich province. We have an abundance of many things – gas, oil, money. Yet, we are probably the worst offenders for emissions. At the same time, we have great minds – amazing engineers and designers – and find it hard to believe that they can’t find a better alternative. Then I see things like this site offering earth energy, solar and wind powered energy. I am not even sure this are alternative energy sources that are available to us here. And if it means reducing my energy bill in January- I am all for that!