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Corporate Social Responsibility
News
12.17.2007 - 10:00am ET
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Amtrak Partners With Carbonfund.Org to Offer Passengers Carbon Offsets for Rail Travel
Carbonfund.org and Amtrak Partner to Allow Passengers to Offset Carbon Emissions from Train Travel
(CSRwire) WASHINGTON, D.C. – December 17, 2007 - Amtrak passengers can now travel
even greener. Through a new partnership between the railroad and
Carbonfund.org, passengers can offset the carbon emissions footprint
generated by their individual rail travel by making a contribution to
Carbonfund.org.
As a partner with Carbonfund, Amtrak has joined numerous organizations and
companies working to create a lower carbon world. To contribute to this
initiative, passengers can log onto http://www.carbonfund.org/site/pages/land/amtrak
and choose from one of two affordable options. Selections start at only
$3.00, a contribution which offsets 2,500 miles of Amtrak travel, or
almost three round trips between Washington and Boston. All contributions
are tax deductible and may be made online. Passengers may request that
their donation support a specific offset type, such as tree planting, or
choose to just make a donation towards the efforts of Carbonfund.org.
"Amtrak is helping to make an extremely sustainable travel option even
greener for millions of people," Carbonfund.org Executive Director Eric
Carlson said. "We hope this partnership with Amtrak will lead people to
take a second look at choosing rail travel. We're pleased to have Amtrak
join us."
"By choosing to travel by rail, Amtrak passengers are already a step ahead
because the carbon footprint generated by their trip is smaller than that
of most other modes of transportation," said Roy Deitchman, Vice
President, Environmental Health & Safety for Amtrak. "Because it is more
energy efficient, traveling by rail contributes less per passenger mile to
greenhouse gas emissions than either cars or airplanes. Rail travel also
helps to reduce highway congestion in major urban centers."
A first step in reducing your carbon footprint is to offset an
individual's carbon footprint. By supporting the projects of
Carbonfund.org, passengers can support the reduction of carbon dioxide
emissions equal to their carbon emissions. Carbonfund.org's projects
focus on three areas: renewable energy, energy efficiency and
reforestation. Projects supported by Carbonfund.org include:
Chicago Zero Energy Solar Homes Project - This project works to
reduce home energy costs for low-income families by employing energy
efficient and solar energy technologies in a housing development in
Chicago's North Lawndale community.
Elk River Project - This wind project in Kansas generates clean
energy for the local community and supplements the income of rural farmers
and the surrounding communities.
Return to Forest Project - This project in Rivas, Nicaragua engages
private reserve owners and small-scale farmers in restoring abandoned
pastures to native forests. These forests then serve as natural habitats
for wildlife and provide eco-tourism opportunities to support the local
population.
Tisa River Project – This project located in along the Tisa River
in Hungary supports the planting of indigenous trees to sequester carbon
dioxide and restore the ecosystem.
By traveling by rail and offsetting emissions at Carbonfund.org, Amtrak
passengers play an important role in improving the future of our
environment. Amtrak recognizes that greenhouse gas reduction is a
multi-dimensional concern. and encourages passengers to take practical
steps to reduce carbon emissions where possible. Carbon offsets through
Carbonfund.org offer just such an opportunity to be part of the solution.
This initiative is part of a broader effort to encourage environmental
stewardship through sustainable travel choices, moving Amtrak passengers
one step closer to carbon-neutral travel. Visit the Amtrak and the
Environment section at amtrak.com/whistlestop for more information.
About Amtrak
Amtrak provides intercity passenger rail services to more than 500
destinations in 46 states on a 22,000-mile route system. For schedules,
fares and information, passengers may call 800-USA-RAIL or visit www.amtrak.com.
About Carbonfund.org
Carbonfund.org is the country's leading carbon reduction and offset
organization. Carbonfund.org educates the public about the dangers of
climate change and makes it easy and affordable for individuals,
businesses and organizations to reduce their climate impact.
Carbonfund.org works with almost 350 corporate and non-profit partners
including Discovery, Dell, Orbitz, Lancome, Environmental Defense and
Working Assets.
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