Obesity Costly Problem For Airlines

It might come as a surprise that the World Health Organization now says obesity afflicts more people in the world than malnourishment. But it’s no surprise to airlines, which are well aware they are carrying larger and larger passengers. This may not seem like fodder for this blog, but a new estimate suggests global carriers are spending an additional $673 million in fuel costs to lift the extra pounds - and burning more carbon for it. Read more>>

Flying Makes Me Feel Bad

Mark Anderson takes sides on the latest “cause célèbre of the eco-set” today in the Ottawa Citizen. Although a “thriving mini-industry has sprung up offering carbon 'offsets,' a way to assuage guilt over corporate travel, without actually limiting flights” some (i.e. Suzuki Foundation) are concerned that purchasing carbon offsets won’t encourage companies to actually reduce air travel. As for Anderson? “I'm not willing to give up my upcoming Alberta fishing trip in the interest of environmentalism.” Fascinating. photo from www.nataliedee.com