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I received a Press Release by email a few days ago.
It was regarding a resort in Belize pledging to
protect the Barrier Reef there. Leaving out the
name of the resort, it read:
"Eco-Concious [ibid] Resort Pledges To Protect
Belize's Barrier Reef
Aligns Itself with Carbon Offset Program"
"The Carbon Offset Program is based on the knowledge
that air travel and the emission of carbon dioxide
is harmful to the environment. For the 2006-2007
season 'the lodge' is pledging to donate to Green
Reef NGO, a nonprofit organization located in Belize
that is dedicated to the conservation and sustainable
use of Belize's vast Environmental Educational and
Coastal Research Institute, thus lessening the impact
of travel.
(Name redacted), owner of 'the lodge' says, "The
disastrous effect of green house gas produced by
aircraft has become of focal point of 'the lodge's'
concern. Upon learning that each aircraft traveling
round-trip from the U.S. to Belize emits approximately
half a ton of carbon dioxide, the 'family' felt compelled
to make a donation, based on the pro-rated, passenger
cost of these emissions."
WOW!
I don't know if global warming is real. I don't think
anyone really knows. Yes, there are a ton of opinions,
and lots of science - on both sides. I'm not going there now.
Read the Press Release again, and explain to me how donating
to the Green Reef NGO is lessening the impact of the aircraft
emissions (if the numbers are correct)? Wouldn't the better
solution be to stop air travel to Belize? Book only guests
into the lodge who do not come by air? Stop all commercial
and recreational boating and fishing which may impact the
reef? I guess that should include snorkeling, diving and
all other water activities. If indeed air travel has that
much impact, all planes everywhere in the world should be
grounded immediately or we are doomed! (Including the
politicians and Hollywood private planes.) Since the
politicians and jet-set are still jetting I guess the
threat can't be very serious.
I rather suspect that the 'donation,' "pro-rated, passenger
cost" is not going to come out of the pockets of the lodge
owners, but an 'add-on' to the visitors bill.
Being of a suspicious nature, I 'googled' Green Reef NGO.
It is a private organization, and there are several links
on the page, each brings up "Sorry, there is no file by
that name on this site. Please choose from our other
offerings..." The other offerings include: Home Page | History
| Who We Are | Programmes | Alliances & Partners | World
Heritage Sites |Legal & Legislation | Reef Briefs | Notice
Board | Membership | Gift Shop | Links |Funders and
Sponsors | Volunteer | News|.
Interesting right?
It seems to me, that in the rush to proclaim global warming
and the opportunity to cash in on people's fears - or people's
good will in wanting to preserve our universe, there are those
who will take advantage. If and when I make a donation to
any organization, be it Boy Scouts or Save the Seals it will
be because I chose to do so. Not because a place I chose
to visit is 'taxing' me so they can get publicity for being
eco-friendly. Not nice.
What is happening all too often is a cause, any cause,
can knock on doors, try and get donations and then
green-mail (black mail except legal) all other companies,
concerns, individuals to donate because their competition,
neighbors, other businesses already have and you don't
want to be the bad guy and not donate do you? What
will your neighbors think? Your business associates?
On and on. Another scam.
I'm sorry to see this. Really. ~ LadyFisher
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