To whom it may concern:UPDATE: Be sure to read the comments below for responses to the company, and my responses to them. Here's hoping the conversation continues, but I'm already encouraged by the future possibility of directing where my TerraPass dollars would be spent.I was just about to buy an airline ticket at Expedia to fly from Los Angeles to Portland, and was excited that I could add a TerraPass option to help offset the carbon impact of my travel. I was sold on buying my ticket through Expedia because of this one defining feature, as I consider myself strongly pro-environment.
However, upon looking at what companies would be supported by this purchase, I was crestfallen. I had to forgo the TerraPass because I'm vegan (in large part for environmental reasons), and so are the 16 other people I'm meeting up in Portland for the weekend. To clarify, as a person who abstains from supporting the use of all animal products, I can't possibly support a dairy farm with my purchase.
Thoughtful people who care deeply about our environment generally stop consuming products that are a big part of the problem when there are superior alternatives available. Though there may not be realistic alternatives to air travel in this day and age, no one needs cow's milk, which is meant for calves, not people.
I implore you to find more humane alternatives for reducing the carbon footprint of compassionate travelers, and to read this recent E! Magazine story to see why capturing methane from dairy cows doesn't begin to solve a fundamental environmental problem -- http://www.alternet.org/envirohealth/40639/.
Thank you for your kind consideration.
Sincerely,
Eric Prescott
Labels: dairy, environment, methane, travel
