SOUTHLAKE, Texas (Aug. 29, 2006) ? To support the growing number of customers concerned with global warming or simply with re-generating forests, wetlands and other elements of nature, Travelocity is the first major online travel company to allow customers to purchase ?carbon offsets? during the checkout process when they buy travel.
The program, called Go Zero, allows customers to effectively ?zero out? or offset the carbon dioxide emissions generated by their flight, hotel, or car usage through a donation to The Conservation Fund, which then plants trees that absorb carbon dioxide.
"We are very pleased to see a major travel company like Travelocity leading the charge to regenerate forests and wetlands that can be used by future generations, but that also helps address climate change climate change
Climate change includes both global warming driven by human-induced emissions of greenhouse gases and the resulting large-scale shifts in weather patterns. Though there have been previous periods of climatic change, since the mid-20th century humans have had an unprecedented impact on Earth's climate system and caused change on a global scale.
Learn more about climate change ," said Larry Selzer, president of The Conservation Fund.
"We see this as a positive program all around, whether someone is concerned with global warming or simply cares about re-generating our nation's forests and wetlands and the wildlife that inhabits them, said Michelle Peluso, president and CEO of Travelocity. "This is a first step in providing options to passionate travelers who can band together to have a tremendous positive impact in the world.?
The carbon offsets are offered as an option that customers can elect to add on at the end of their trip package purchase. Travelocity will give ALL proceeds to The Conservation Fund, and is providing a link to The Conservation Fund web site, where donations can be made independent of any travel purchase. Go Zero purchases are fully tax deductible.Travelocity has also purchased carbon offsets for its own corporate travel with a donation to the Go Zero program. The first grove of Travelocity trees will be planted in the Bogue Chitto National Wildlife Refuge, which is located 45 miles north of New Orleans, LA. These permanently protected lands provide important wildlife habitat for migratory birds including the Prothonotary and Swainsons Warblers, Yellow-billed Cuckoo and White-eyed Vireo. The Refuge is also an excellent travel destination, offering extraordinary opportunities for canoeing and kayaking, hiking, fishing and wildlife watching.
About Go Zero
As part of its Climate Change Program, The Conservation Fund launched Go Zero to engage people around the world -- companies, communities and individuals -- in the effort to combat global warming. Simply put, Go Zero measures the carbon dioxide emissions of virtually any slice of life, including travel related activities such as air and automobile transportation and hotel rooms. The Conservation Fund then offsets that impact on climate change by planting trees, which absorb tremendous amounts of carbon dioxide as they grow.
These newly created forests do more than just address global warming they leave a lasting legacy by restoring important wildlife habitat, enhancing outdoor recreation areas and improving air and water quality. Through this program, the Fund has protected more than 25,000 acres and planted five million trees, which will sequester nearly seven million tons of carbon dioxide over the next 100 years. To learn more about The Conservation Fund's Go Zero program, please visit
