Nature Air, a Costa Rican local airline company claims to be the first and only zero emission airline. Zero-emission airline is a misnomer. There are no such flights or any other vehicles that run on gas that cannot emit carbon-dioxide into the atmosphere. Nature Air is emitting toxic gases into our atmosphere just like any other airlines but they are actively getting involved in damage control procedures. The eco friendly procedures include afforestation, usage of low emission aviation fuel and researching alternative energy sources like bio-waste and ethanol.

So how does an airplane dial its CO2 output back to zero?
Nature Air first uses its yearly fuel consumption to calculate emissions—some 4,650 tons in 2004. Then, working with the Costa Rican government, it assigns that number a monetary value. Last December, when the company started the project, Nature Air offset its 2004 emissions with a $12,322 investment in reforestation and habitat-protection projects on the Osa Peninsula, one of Central America’s most biologically diverse rainforests. (Away Magazine)

The steps undertaken by Nature Air, a speck in the aviation industry is a brave and a commendable move. I hope that there is something for all of us to learn from their move. The one and only way of preventing global warming is by planting trees. What are you waiting for?

via Tree Hugger