Carbon Offsets To Debut At DIA

Will there come a time when, in addition to taking off your shoes and showing ID, a flyer must also present "proof of offset" in order to make their flight?

You are now free to feel guilty about your travel:

Feeling guilty about the amount of carbon dioxide your upcoming flight will pump into the atmosphere?

Soon you might be able to fork over some extra cash at Denver International Airport to invest in projects intended to help negate your share of the environmental damage caused by air travel.

DIA is looking to become one of the first airports in the nation to offer passengers the ability to buy carbon offsets in its concourses. The offsets would pay for renewable energy and power-saving projects that help cut down on greenhouse gas emissions.

The airport is soliciting proposals from companies interested in setting up and running an offset program in all three concourses. The offsets could be offered through kiosks, booths, computer terminals or other means.

It's all part of the airport's renewed focus on the environment, which dovetails efforts by the city and state to implement energy-saving procedures and technology.

"Airports and airlines are under more and more scrutiny regarding greenhouse gas emissions and how they can offset climate change," said Janell Barrilleaux, DIA's director of environmental programs. "This offers a small step in the right direction to raise awareness and let people know that airports want to do the right thing."

The first DIA boondoggle--the spectacular failure known as the state-of-the-art baggage handling system that never saw a day in service and delayed the airport's opening for years.

The second boondoggle? Snake-oil Carbon offsets available in every concourse.

Who stands to benefit? Why, DIA is sure to get a cut:

DIA hopes to have the offset program up and running by August.

Under the plan, interested passengers would provide the details of their flights — such as the cities involved and the number of stops — to determine how much in offsets would erase their "carbon footprint" or amount of carbon emissions.

The offsets could be used for a variety of projects, such as installing solar panels in India or planting trees as part of reforestation efforts in Brazil.

An individual passenger could pay anywhere from a few bucks to more than $50 to offset their "share" of the carbon emissions of their flights.
. . .
The airport would get a share of the money collected: 10 percent of the first $1 million, 12 percent of the next $1 million and 14 percent of sales above $2 million, according to airport documents.

Seeing as blogging isn't paying the bills, perhaps SP and the faithful readers could set up our own carbon offset booth at DIA.

And why should any carbon offset profits go to build alternative energy efforts in India or Brazil? If the threat were truly grave, shouldn't the first priority be to get the profligate American abusers to give up their wasteful lifestyle?

Will there come a time when, in addition to taking off your shoes and showing ID, a flyer must also present "proof of offset" in order to make their flight?

For the global warmening, anti-human, Gaia religionists--it will only be a matter of time.