36. Offset your carbon emissions when flying.

Flying is the focus for the 3rd episode in a row. If this week's theme is starting to feel either offputting, or upsetting, or offsetting - do NOT be set-off, or put-out, or put-off by offsetting your flights with carbon credits. The message is encouraging you to travel, and travel by air, which when carefully done, can minimize the negative impact on your future you.  

Most airlines provide a system to ‘buy carbon credits,’ as their offset solution. However, spending even more money on travel is not typically something people seek or want to do. While we applaud those who choose to walk this path with their wallets open to support Future Us’s, we’d like to propose alternatives to de-planing your travel itinerary, or de-parting with surplus cash with carbon credits using the system below:

To help you ‘Offset your carbon emissions when flying,’ here’s a simple 2-step process:

1. Calculate the Carbon Offset using a calculator.
2. Contact the local Hot Air Balloon provider in town. Make sure to go on a clear, warm (but not too hot) sunny day. Get to the highest elevation you can without needing supplemental oxygen. Don your favorite wingsuit. Wait! Don’t forget to wear your parachute (because, well, you want to be cautious for your future you to relish your carbon emission savings). Jump. Glide and fly gleefully to your destination without increasing your carbon footprint or buying carbon emission offsets.

Your Future You will appreciate the adventurous efforts your Current You makes to find innovative ways to look after your friends and loved ones. And, remember your Past You (when you were a mere child) always dreamt of flying.  

P.S. - It’s been reported that Corporate Housing can help “Offset your carbon emissions when flying” by supporting business travelers no matter how they arrive at their final (and monthly and temporary) destination. Corporate Housing properties all have irons and spacious closets so your wingsuit will be ready for your ‘flight’ back home. It’s currently unknown how many corporate housing providers provide wingsuits in their furnished properties, so be sure to ask.

This series is focused on Simple Sustainable Actions - based on Stephane Omsanski’s article in Parade from 2021.

https://parade.com/1300935/stephanieosmanski/ways-reduce-carbon-emissions/

36. Offset your carbon emissions when flying.

Some people will choose to purchase carbon emission offsets when they fly. If you're unfamiliar with these programs, here's how it works: Pay a fee in acknowledgment of the emissions you're contributing and that money goes toward programs that plant trees, execute land restoration, and more.