There's still an ongoing argument over whether carbon credits are truly a legitimate solution for lowering carbon emissions. As developing countries such as China and India see a spike in their emissions levels (China just took over the stop spot), the slower rate of technological development and the growing economies there mean that this problem is only going to get worse. Countries like Canada and the U.S. have until 2012 to lower their emissions according to Kyoto, however developing countries are not under any type of restrictions for theirs.

As Lorrie Goldstein, a columnist for the Toronto Sun puts it:

First, buying and selling carbon credits doesn't remove one molecule of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

Second, carbon credits weren't designed to lower emissions. They were designed to shift emissions around. Practically speaking, they will delay the day when we start lowering them.

Their present purpose is simply to permit developed countries and their industries to keep emitting carbon, so long as they pay a huge financial price for it by subsidizing the developing world.

The are definitely a few issues with carbon credits, but Goldstein was right on the mark regarding one of them: purchasing these credits doesn't actually prevent more carbon dioxide from being released into the air, but simply acts like a security blanket for big, carbon-spewing countries. Rather than focusing on solutions to physically reduce emissions, these countries are permitted to buy their way out of some bad habits without having to adjust any harmful behavior. Throw in the fact that emerging economies aren't held accountable for their own emissions in any capacity and one has to wonder exactly what the purchase of carbon credits is accomplishing.

Tell us: Do you believe purchasing carbon credits to offset bad eco-habits is the right answer?

» Toronto Sun

Going green may seem like a trend right now, but travel experts predict the move toward eco-friendly business travel could be long-term. Employees have started to take the initiative and are requesting their employers use green services and venues when hiring and booking for conferences and other events. In turn hotels, airlines and car rental companies are among the service providers who are starting to realize the potential of offering environmentally-conscious options.

Tanya Racz, president of the Canadian Business Travellers Association (CBTA), says she has seen a marked increase in interest by firms of all sizes in cutting down on business travel pollution, particularly in the past two years.

"We are only at the beginning of what I can say is a new way of carrying out business travel," she says.

"We are seeing more Canadian business travellers using trains between cities such as Montreal, Toronto and Ottawa, instead of airplanes," she says, "and they are more interested in how hotels are run, and of the sustainability of products used at conferences."

"This is only going to grow as it becomes the mandate of more companies to be sustainable," said Ms. Racz.

Both travelers and service providers are also examining the impact of carbon offsetting. Harbour Air, small Canadian airline who calls themselves the first carbon-neutral airline in North America, has added a carbon-neutral fee to their ticket prices. The fee is applicable to one-way tickets and forwarded to an organization such as the Offsetters Climate Neutral Society.

While the effectiveness of carbon offsetting is still debated, it's encouraging to see companies working to mak eco-friendly choices and knowing it is not just an attempt to jump on the bandwagon, but hopefully a genuine attempt to reduce their environmental impact.

» The Globe and Mail

Young people in Australia rank international travel as their top priority, but want to plan trips the green way. A new report by Contiki Travel Trends Research indicates that those who want to travel have a desire to do it in an environmentally-conscious way that promotes sustainable tourism. However it seems they may not be entirely aware of the best way to do so, with only nine per cent of those individuals actually following through on eco-friendly travel plans.

The "Shades of Green Report" gathered the opinions of young adults in the 18 to 34 age range when dealing with travel that had a green focus. The research also found that those in a lower income bracket of $40,000 per year were 30 per cent more likely to offset travel than those who earn more than $75,000 annually.

If following through is so difficult, future travelers can always check out RezHub.com, which takes much of the guesswork out of trying to plan a green trip.

» Sydney Morning Herald

An innovative new website is making green travel a littler easier this Christmas season. A recent study conducted by the Travel Industry Association found that while most people want to make eco-friendly travel choices, they are not willing to spend more money to do so. The creators of RezHub.com decided to provide a solution that would honor both concerns.

At RezHub.com, travelers can find environmentally friendly hotels, reserve rental hybrid cars and contribute to a carbon offsetting program. If that’s not enough to make your heart grow three sizes, RezHub.com also donates a portion of their revenues from travel booked through the site to green organizations. In recognition that people can’t always afford to spend more to make green travel plans, the website guarantees competitive prices.

If you have yet to make travel reservations for the holidays (and beyond!), visit RezHub.com to explore the green options that are available at your chosen destination.

» RezHub.com