Maybe Airlines Can Follow In This Resort’s Footsteps To Reduce Their Carbon Footprints

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Not long ago, I wrote a post about how different countries were looking at different ways to make their carbon footprint smaller. Most have proposed imposing some sort of tax on the airlines, although a few have suggested other methods such as outlawing domestic flights. However, it wasn’t lost on me that nearly all of the suggestions just raised money and did nothing for the environment. Unless the money raised was going to go towards environmental pursuits? I dunno.

Meanwhile, a resort will be opening in the few years and it has its head in the right place when it comes to protecting the environment.

 

Arctic Blue Resort is scheduled to open in Kontiolahti, Finland, which is about 450 km (280 miles) from Helsinki. The resort itself is set to have its own sustainability in place, including its own water treatment system and renewable energy resources, with food locally sourced and seasonal.

But even more than that, the resort is going to have opportunities for guests to lower the total price of their stay by up to 50% off by watching their water intake, electricity use and food choices. Planting a tree in the nearby forest would take another 5% off the tab.

“With Arctic Blue Resort we want to lead an example by putting emphasis on environmental responsibility and by creating solutions to minimize the negative impact of tourism,” Kontiolahti Mayor Jere Penttilä said in the statement that was published by Reuters.

Can you imagine how much energy and resources we could save if airlines would follow in Arctic Blue Resort’s (carbon) footsteps?

• Plant trees and get $5 off your plane ticket for each one you’ve planted
• Use 10% less water or electricity for a month, or a certain amount of plastic packaging for the same amount of time, and get 10% of your domestic ticket
• Eat only locally-grown food for a week and get $20 off your ticket
• Use public transportation instead of driving to work for a month, and get $50 off your ticket
• Install a solar energy panel in your home and get $200 off an international ticket

Of course, airlines would never go for it because it would cut into their bottom line (although increased taxes cut into their bottom line too, so….). And someone would have to keep track of it all. But it would be a way for consumers to be involved in the environment and it would actively offset the carbon footprint that planes have, all at the same time.

And it would certainly be better than just paying more taxes.

Hey, it’s a start, right?

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This post first appeared on Your Mileage May Vary