Comments on: Should I let Easyjet off-set my carbon emissions?

By: Matt BCN

Matt BCN — Sun, 12 Aug 2007 14:52:50 +0000

Other options for a calm conscience include http://www.greenseat.com/
http://www.treesfortravel.info/

By: greytop

greytop — Sat, 04 Aug 2007 20:01:08 +0000

So if they are so concerned why not stop carrying all that junk they sell at inflated prices from trolleys? With video conferencing readily available business travel should be a thing of the past as well. I’m afraid I refuse to feel guilty about it all. Concerned and willing to reduce consumption, but guilty no way!

By: Ben

Ben — Sat, 04 Aug 2007 10:10:28 +0000

Do, and let me know what you find out, I would definitely contribute and help promote it!

By: Graeme

Graeme — Sat, 04 Aug 2007 09:19:38 +0000

Just a follow up thought – I haven’t looked into it – but I wonder how difficult it is to set up a carbon offset project, either by supporting an existing project (preferably somewhere you don’t need to fly to) or by starting something from scratch? A significant group of Madrid residents who fly to their home countries, and an even more significant group who fly from other countries to visit Spain would then have a genuine project they could support without having the problems of it being sold to them by an airline. Otherwise, we reject the exploitation of the issue by companies like Easyjet but still carry on flying regardless. I might invvestigate a bit more.

By: Ben

Ben — Sat, 04 Aug 2007 07:00:01 +0000

“those responsible for promoting air travel shouldn’t be allowed to posture as defenders of the environment” – Graeme

“Easyjet, in my opinion, is just using a worthy cause to tug at the conscience of its clientele.” – Beckett

You are both quite right on these points, and I think this is what was making me feel weird about the whole thing…. a bit like when I went to bp.com to take the carbon emissions test… They’re all just jumping on the bandwagon to try to keep the critics at bay.

By: Beckett

Beckett — Fri, 03 Aug 2007 19:10:20 +0000

This amounts to nothing more than an additional tax on the customer. If Easyjet wants to build an electrical power station in Ecuador, I would like to know how much money is needed and how much money has been raised to date. Without that info, Easyjet, in my opinion, is just using a worthy cause to tug at the conscience of its clientele. I think the primary beneficiary will be Easyjet, not some environmental project.

I believe that society has to do something to stop the harmful effects that mankind is having on the environment, but I can’t help but feel that iniatives such as these are only being used for marketing purposes, to help differentiate EasyJet from the competition. Also, I despise this mentality that money is the only way to solve a problem. Solving the environmental crisis is going to require initiative AND sacrifice, something that capitalist societies are loath to do.

By: Graeme

Graeme — Fri, 03 Aug 2007 18:39:35 +0000

Yes, it should be included in the ticket price, and fuel for planes should be taxed properly whilst we’re on the subject. I think it’s like being offered the same thing directly by an oil or coal mining company – those responsible for promoting air travel shouldn’t be allowed to posture as defenders of the environment. A few weeks ago when they announced the open skies agreement between Europe and the States I waited to see if anyone in the press on Spain would pick up on the fact that this could undo, almost on its own, the little progress that has been made so far on cutting emissions. I fly – with Easyjet usually, but if I pay extra money I will give it to someone who doesn’t need to make a much bigger contribution themselves. When I saw this afternoon that they are planning to charge 3 euros per bag checked in on environmental grounds I laughed. Cheeky people.