TRAVEL

About Carbon Offsets

Think of offsets as part of your travel costs for a gig—somewhat equivalent to baggage fees or a taxi to the airport. You can ask promoters to cover the cost of offsets.

High quality offsets are currently about $13–$25 US per metric ton. Offsetting a round-trip flight from New York to Los Angeles, for instance, would cost $26 to $50 US.

Asking for Carbon Offsets

If you have negotiated a travel allowance such as flight costs, baggage fees and/or ground transportation, consider asking to include carbon offsets. Here are some helpful ways to have that conversation.

Fly vs. Drive

Roughly speaking, flying is about as bad for the climate as driving solo. Read more about how to weigh your options when making decisions about flying or driving to gigs.

The airport

As travelers in airports, our choices are limited by the services and resources offered. However, you can take action for sustainability if you are willing to be conscientious and resourceful, and to plan ahead. 

The hotel

Hotels are resource-hungry institutions. Here are some of the things you can do as individual to reduce your waste while staying in hotels.

Two musicians plan a bicycle tour: the search for sustainable travel

Lissa Schneckenburger shares her experiences planning a more sustainable tour by traveling by bicycle instead of cars and planes.