June 30, 2008, - 2:47 pm
“Global Warming” Fatigue: Denver Airport Cancels Carbon Offset Program
By Debbie Schlussel
Shocker. Denver International Airport was the first airport to consider offering a carbon offest program for travelers. But guess what? It’s also the first airport to “pause” the plan “due to lack of interest from vendors.”
No-one was interested? You’re kidding. Like a tree falling in the forest but no-one being there to hear it, or a WNBA game, no-one cares. Can you believe it?:
Last year, a local group of environmental experts recommended the program, and the airport has been shopping for a company to run it. “We weren’t exactly thrilled with what was laid out in the initial proposal. We’re taking a step back,” airport spokesman Jeff Green says.
A carbon offset is a voluntary fee paid by travelers to “cancel out” the carbon emissions generated by their flights. The airport had plans for kiosks where travelers can pay for carbon offsets, which are transferred to environmental advocacy groups for things such as tree-planting or clean-power projects. It estimated that a fee of $2.50 to offset 1,000 miles of air travel would be in line with the city’s goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 10% per capita by 2012.
The airport issued a formal request for proposals this year for companies interested in running the program, but received only one proposal. DIA may redesign the program, possibly by partnering with airlines, and solicit proposals again, Green says.
Good luck. Or, rather, bad luck.
Hmmm . . . I’m traveling and stuck in the Denver airport. I can spend $2.50 on half a Diet Coke (we’re at the airport, remember?), half a bad women’s fashion magazine, or hand it over to radical environmentalists. Which do I pick?
I think I tip the guy who shines shoes, even though I’m wearing sandals. Or better yet, I spend the $2.50 on the women’s magazine, just so I can throw out the non-biodegradable plastic bag it comes in, engaging in my own silent form of eco-rebellion and carbon-dangerous behavior.
I hate hippies.
When is Al Gore going to get on TV and all the media and proclaim how happy he is over the gas prices? The envirowhackos, and Gore in his book, have long advocated higher gas prices.
Answer: Never, because they know what would happen, the cowards.
Jeff_W on June 30, 2008 at 4:06 pm