Like many other environmentally conscious people today, at The Travel Collaborative we are concerned about the size of our “carbon footprint” – the amount of greenhouse gasses our activities generate. Because travel depends on fossil fuels, it is a major generator of these gasses. What can we do? After all, travel is part of our lifestyles – and yours – for business, for family events, for much-needed vacations. The Travel Collaborative is now using a program to significantly neutralize the negative environmental impact of our travel by buying carbon offsets. We reduce greenhouse gases in an amount equal to what we generate by a specific activity, such as an airline flight, by funding programs that create clean air, an “offsetting” effect. We purchased more than $2,500.00 of offsets in 2007. Please join us. HOW IT WORKS We’ve partnered with Sustainable Travel International (STI) to purchase U.S.-based Green Tags from the portfolio of activities managed by the Bonneville Environmental Foundation (BEF). STI is dedicated to providing education and outreach services that will lessen the toll that travel and tourism takes on the environment and local cultures. BEF is a non-profit organization that provides high-quality, Green-e certified renewable energy certificates, Green Tags, to individuals, businesses and governmental agencies. When you buy a Green Tag, your purchase supports renewable energy on our power grids, solar power systems for schools and public buildings, wind power systems for farms, ranches and communities, and watershed restoration to improve water quality and native fish habitat. Because your Green Tag is retired, not sold to another purchaser, it may be tax deductible; please check with your tax advisor. More information about Green Tags > HOW BIG IS MY FOOTPRINT? The average American is responsible for the emissions of about 20 tons of CO2 annually — your individual carbon footprint may be smaller or larger. One thing is certain — travel will make it bigger. One round trip to Europe adds 2.5 tons of CO2 to your footprint, and a round trip to Thailand adds 6.8 tons. (Learn more from The Tufts Climate Initiative, a recognized leader in this field.)