Delta becomes first US airline with carbon offset program
Apr 18, 2007, 10:42 am
#1
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2000
Posts: 17,421
Delta becomes first US airline with carbon offset program
OK, I guess this was inevitable. And, to Delta's credit, their voluntary program is focused on something that's not totally insane: planting trees.
http://biz.yahoo.com/pz/070418/117636.html
http://biz.yahoo.com/pz/070418/117636.html
Apr 18, 2007, 12:34 pm
#2
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: The Pointy End
Posts: 3,565
No thanks...
Apr 18, 2007, 12:38 pm
#3
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: IAH/HOU
Programs: Marriott Lifetime Premier Plat, UA Plat
Posts: 248
I agree that the tree planting is much better than it could have been (eg buying emissions credits, etc). it will be interesting to see how they incorporate this option into the online ticket purchasing process (ie at the end of the process, opt in vs opt out, etc).
Apr 18, 2007, 1:33 pm
#4
Moderator: Coupon Connection & S.P.A.M
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Louisville, KY
Programs: Destination Unknown, TSA Disparager Diamond (LTDD)
Posts: 57,952
I'll be happy to redirect all my extorted "security" fees to this program. @:-)
Otherwise, no thanks! I pay waaaaay too much in taxes/fees/graft as it is. Reapportion some of those monies. Don't come crying to me for more!
Otherwise, no thanks! I pay waaaaay too much in taxes/fees/graft as it is. Reapportion some of those monies. Don't come crying to me for more!
Apr 18, 2007, 1:50 pm
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2000
Posts: 17,421
I'd love to know the percentage of people who will pay the global warming surcharge. Hopefully, Delta will release the number.
With all the current hype on global warning (I've actually had people approach me and tell me they're concerned about whether "the world will be habitable for your kids"), I'm guessing some will contribute. At least initially. I'm guessing they'll get a 5% response rate, but that's just a wild guess.
With all the current hype on global warning (I've actually had people approach me and tell me they're concerned about whether "the world will be habitable for your kids"), I'm guessing some will contribute. At least initially. I'm guessing they'll get a 5% response rate, but that's just a wild guess.
Apr 18, 2007, 1:56 pm
#6
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: RDU, Delta GM/1MM, Hilton Diamond (for now), Bonvoy Titanium
Posts: 3,443
Tree hugging hippies.
Apr 18, 2007, 2:04 pm
#7
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Atlanta, GA
Programs: DL Gold, SPG Gold
Posts: 142
Sign me up. I will gladly pay the small amount to ensure more trees are planted. Call me whatever you'd like.
Apr 18, 2007, 2:06 pm
#8
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Washington, DC
Posts: 54
I like it!
I like the idea. It's definitely something on many peoples minds right now and might help set them apart from other airlines. That being said, I'm not sure I'd want to pay for it. 
Apr 18, 2007, 2:14 pm
#9
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Wayne, PA USA
Programs: DL MM, Marriott Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, HHonors Gold
Posts: 7,242
I guess I'd better go find a tree to hug 
From a publicity standpoint, I think it's a good move. From an environmental policy standpoint, I wonder what, if any effect, planting 47,000 trees will really have?
From a publicity standpoint, I think it's a good move. From an environmental policy standpoint, I wonder what, if any effect, planting 47,000 trees will really have?
Apr 18, 2007, 2:16 pm
#10
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: SDF
Posts: 3,302
47,000 is just the number they'll plant for their employees. I assume the other number will be based on customer contributions.
Apr 18, 2007, 2:54 pm
#11
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2000
Posts: 17,421
I could be wrong, but I have this sneaking suspicion that, a decade or two from now, the current climate scare -- and the strange ways Westerners are trying to "do something about it" -- will look a tad silly. There will be more sophisticated way to analyze and respond to this "threat," assuming it's shown there is one.
Apr 18, 2007, 2:58 pm
#12
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: SAN
Programs: Nothing, nowhere!
Posts: 23,300
Apr 18, 2007, 3:01 pm
#13
Moderator: Coupon Connection & S.P.A.M
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Louisville, KY
Programs: Destination Unknown, TSA Disparager Diamond (LTDD)
Posts: 57,952
True, but there could be so many "optional" items tacked on; where does it end?
As I said before, my "security" dollars are available. Otherwise, the $50 (on the low side) per ticket worth of fees/graft could easily be tapped into. 25+% taxes per ticket isn't being used effectively and such a high percentage is a disgrace.
As I said before, my "security" dollars are available. Otherwise, the $50 (on the low side) per ticket worth of fees/graft could easily be tapped into. 25+% taxes per ticket isn't being used effectively and such a high percentage is a disgrace.
Apr 18, 2007, 3:02 pm
#14
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Hamburg, Germany
Posts: 328
Delta becomes first US airline with carbon offset program
Apr 18, 2007, 3:19 pm
#15
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Southeast USA
Posts: 1,253
Global warming = liberal hippie tree-huggers' plot to rule the earth!
Ok, so here we go - one US airline decides to voluntarily offer a carbon-offset program and we get the usual comments about global warming not being a problem or being made up completely!
I have always considered the FT bunch to be well-traveled and well-educated! Apparently, the 2 things do not go hand in hand. Most scientists around the globe think the world is warming and it is 90% likely that it is being caused by man.
The rest of the DEVELOPED world is actively trying to do something about it - with the US being an outlier and concentrating on widening the interstate in downtown PHX to 12 lanes each way and on how many rows of seats could be placed in a Suburban!
Folks, this is not about the shrould of Turin. It's about as clear as cigarettes causing lung cancer and increasing the death rate.
Then again, what can one expect from a country that just rolled back abortion rights 30+ years....
Oh, and btw, there was a controversial study that suggested that planting trees in moderate climate regions may actually INCREASE global warming because they reflect less sunlight than snow-covered land - the study suggested that reforestation is most beneficial near the equator.
I have always considered the FT bunch to be well-traveled and well-educated! Apparently, the 2 things do not go hand in hand. Most scientists around the globe think the world is warming and it is 90% likely that it is being caused by man.
The rest of the DEVELOPED world is actively trying to do something about it - with the US being an outlier and concentrating on widening the interstate in downtown PHX to 12 lanes each way and on how many rows of seats could be placed in a Suburban!
Folks, this is not about the shrould of Turin. It's about as clear as cigarettes causing lung cancer and increasing the death rate.
Then again, what can one expect from a country that just rolled back abortion rights 30+ years....
Oh, and btw, there was a controversial study that suggested that planting trees in moderate climate regions may actually INCREASE global warming because they reflect less sunlight than snow-covered land - the study suggested that reforestation is most beneficial near the equator.