‘Tis the season to give back: Orbitz customers donate $50K to the environment

Orbitz customers donating to CarbonFund.org help to support projects like the Amazon Forest Conservation Project. Credit: Batrax.

By Jeanenne Tornatore

With Orbitz customer contributions totaling more than $50,000 sent to the non-profit carbon offsetting organization, CarbonFund.org, the online travel company and its customers have offset over 10 million pounds of CO2 in 2010. But just what does an offset like this mean in real life terms:

• Taking 965 cars off the road for a year
• Planting more than 50,000 trees, covering 231 acres of land
• Providing solar systems for more than 3,800 homes.

Now that’s somethingto raise a toast to this holiday season.

And as we embark on a new year, Orbitz continues to encourage its customers to live — and travel — by CarbonFund’s mantra “Reduce what you can, offset what you can’t™.” Orbitz makes it easy for consumers to offset carbon emissions as part of the booking process for flights to and from destinations around the world. CarbonFund.org then uses these donations to support viable renewable energy development, re-forestation projects and other initiatives focused on turning back the clock on global climate change.

As the travel industry becomes more conscious of its impact on the environment, it’s becomingly easier for travelers to find and support companies who are working to reduce their eco footprint. From hybrid car rentals to wind and solar powered hotels, travelers now have more eco-friendly choices than ever before.

Check out Eco-tourism at Orbitz for a comprehensive list of eco-friendly travel options, including car rentals, flight carbon offsetting and hotels that have earned the EnergyStar® and achieved LEED® certification.  To find out more about our commitment to green travel, see how Orbitz is engaged in making our world a better place.

Jeanenne Tornatore is a senior travel editor at Orbitz Worldwide. A long-time traveler and avid deal seeker, she regularly shares her industry knowledge, practical advice andsavvy tips with national print and broadcast media around the country.

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