Four Moons Astrology- Donna Woodwell, Austin, Texas

This is the sixth in a series of articles on Green Astrology, originally published in NCGR Enews, May 3, 2008.

With UAC, the world’s largest astrology conference, just a few weeks away, I’m already thinking about packing (this week in Denver it’s 75°F/45°F, or 23°C/7°C) and finalizing other travel arrangements.  But just because we’re going to be away from home, doesn’t mean we still can’t be green!

Wherever we travel, our impact on the environment is often called our “carbon footprint.”  The current scientific consensus is that carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions are a major cause of global warming.   In our modern consumer society, almost all of the goods we buy and services we use produce some amount of greenhouse gases.  Our “carbon footprint” is a measure for the greenhouse emissions produced by these lifestyle choices, expressed in cubic metric tons of carbon dioxide.

As we struggle with our response to global warning, our economy is also seeking ways to adapt. Recent arrivals on the market include “carbon offsets,” which are programs designed to cancel out the harmful effects of our carbon footprint.  Examples include reforestation programs and green energy development projects.

To some, carbon offsets may sound like a tax on, well, living, right?  But as Pluto moves further into Capricorn, we expect to see a spotlight on the “hidden” costs of producing goods and services. Economists call these costs “externalities,” or something that imposes a cost on someone other than the manufacturer.  But cleaning up pollution is a cost that has to be paid by someone, so businesses, governments and economies are struggling to find ways to pay for it.  The voluntary purchase of carbon offsets is one way for the individual consumer to contribute.

Green skies

For most people, an airplane flight is the single biggest contributor to their annual carbon footprint.  A round-trip flight from New York City to Denver is responsible for approximately 1.22 metric tons of CO2.  But because planes emit a brew of toxic greenhouse gases high in the atmosphere, they are much more harmful to the environment than a comparable level of emissions at ground level.

There are numerous companies offering carbon offsets for airline travel; some are reputable and others are not, so do your homework when choosing an offset provider.  One of the largest for-profit carbon offset companies in the U.S. is Terra Pass, which has arrangements with several internet travel companies to provide offsets when booking travel.  There are also several non-for-profit organizations (which means the price of your offset may be tax deductible); two internationally reputable alternatives include the US-based Sustainable Travel International and European-based Atmosfair.

The price for offsetting our hypothetical round-trip flight from NYC to Denver ranges from $10-$40.  So, for the price of a few cups of coffee or a souvenir, you can help the Earth *not* remember your trip.

Other ways to travel green

There are many other ways to “green” your travel. Many common-sense approaches that work when you’re at home work equally well when you’re on the go. Here are a few ideas:

• Reduce paper waste while traveling. Use e-ticketing systems when flying or paperless checkout at hotels.
• Walk to your destination — it’s good exercise after sitting in lectures all day.  Or, if the altitude in the mile-high city is too much, share transportation with a friend.
• Pack traveling snacks in reusable containers, or carry a travel mug for drinks.
• Ask the hotel not to change the sheets and towels every night if not necessary. Hang towels up neatly and leave a note for the housekeeping staff not to change them. (The UAC hotel, the Sheraton Denver Hotel, has a green housekeeping program, just fill out the card left in your room).
• Pack your own toiletries instead of using those provided by the hotel.
• Practice the same energy saving guidelines you would at home. Take shorter showers and turn off electrical devices when not in your hotel room
• Bring along reusable cloth bags when shopping (or use your UAC tote!)

I look forward to seeing you in Denver!

This entry was posted on Saturday, May 3rd, 2008 at 12:00 pm and is filed under Green Astrology.