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San Francisco International Airport has launched an environmental campaign that should thrill everyone that believes in government Minding its Own Damn Business.
The airport now sells carbon offsets at kiosks as well as the airport’s webpage and through some of the airlines, according to National Public Radio. “The airport has partnered with a private company to provide the offsets.”
Airport officials hope to help fliers assuage some of their guilt for flying, and support a tree planting program in the Garcia River Forest in Mendocino County, California. NPR said that costs for the offsets range between a few dollars for a short flight and $70 for a 12 hour flight. A group called the Climate Action Reserve verifies the legitimacy of these offsets.
The Climate Passport applies free markets to environmentalism. Business and not for profit both stand to benefit. Cap and trade legislation is still years away from accomplishing anything (assuming C & T will ever accomplish something of value) yet the San Francisco airport has a program that enables those that want to spend their money to help the environment do just that. The programs benefits the environment without laws forcing payments from people that can not afford to contribute, or chose not to contribute.
In recent months we have seen great news from electric car manufacturers and growth in voluntary carbon offsets. Free markets, people spending their money in environmentally good ways, will have a much bigger long term benefit than any benefit from government regulations. There is a lot of opportunity to do good environmental work by creating for environmental businesses. I hope this program inspires entrepreneurs.
