Newcomb-Tulane College - Office of Study Abroad - Environmental & Social Responsibility

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Center for Global Education

Office of Study Abroad

International Students & Scholars

Fulbright Programs

Environmental & Social Responsibility

Did you know traveling 2,000 miles in an airplane emits ONE TON of C02 per passenger? During the academic year each Tulane student is responsible for nearly THREE TONS of CO2 emission for energy use.

Tulane University has made a commitment to becoming carbon neutral to help address global warming. This page outlines several important steps you can take to Green your study abroad experience.

Tulane's Carbon Offset Program
Starting in the fall of 2009, Tulane University students studying abroad, as well as foreign students studying at Tulane, will have the option of purchasing carbon offsets for their air travel to and from their study abroad destination. These carbon offsets will take the form of installing energy-saving light bulbs in small towns throughout Louisiana in partnership with the environmental organization Green Light New Orleans (GLNO). A trip will be organized each semester for students who wish to volunteer to personally install light bulbs to offset their air travel to their study abroad destination.

About Green Light New Orleans
GLNO is an organization that installs compact fluorescent light bulbs in people’s homes at no charge. GLNO has installed over 135,000 bulbs in New Orleans and has an agreement with the towns of Gramercy and Lutcher for the installation of 4,000 bulbs. Offsets purchased by Tulane students will pay for the installation of these bulbs.

Many students have volunteered with GLNO in New Orleans in the past and have found the experience to be very rewarding, as they come away with a sense of the positive impact these light bulbs have on the environment, and on the lives of low and middle-income individuals who will save on their electric bills thanks to these light bulbs.
http://greenlightneworleans.org/

What are Carbon Offsets?
Carbon offsets are a method by which one can mitigate the greenhouse gases produced by a certain activity by supporting another activity that reduces greenhouse gases. Offsets are measured in metric tons of carbon dioxide. These units can be bought and sold on a carbon market- polluters who wish to lower their impact can purchase credits from companies or projects providing a service that combats climate change.

In a cap and trade system, an upper limit for greenhouse gas emissions is set and those whose emissions fall below that limit can sell their credits to others who are not able to meet the limit. When no such cap exists offsets are voluntary and the percent of the total emissions being offset is self-determined. In the case of Tulane’s program, the offset is voluntary and takes the form of energy savings that result from the installation of efficient compact fluorescent light bulbs in place of regular incandescent bulbs.

Air Travel and Carbon Emissions
Air travel produces more carbon emissions per passenger kilometer than any other mode of transportation. When jet fuel is burned it releases carbon, which combines with oxygen in the air to form CO2, a prime contributor to global warming.

Because airplane emissions are released high up in the atmosphere, they have two to four times the impact of emissions released on the ground. Aviation industry emissions have risen 83% since 1990 and show no signs of decreasing, thus necessitating a system of carbon offsets to lessen the impact of this expanding industry.

Tulane Environmental Offices

Office of Environmental Affairs

Green Club at Tulane

Books in Resource Library

Tourism: Principles, Practices and Philosophies by Charles Goeldner and J.R. Brent Ritchie, John Wiley and Sons, 9th ed., 2003.

Hosts and Guests Revisited: Tourism Issues of the 21st Century edited by Valene Smith and Maryann Brent,
Cognizant Communications, 2001.

Ecotourism by David Weaver, John Wiley and Sons, 2001.

Tourism in the 21st Century: Lessons From Experience edited by Bill Faulkner, Continuum, 2001.

Ethical Travel Guide by Polly Pattullo, Tourism Concern, 2006.

Ecotourism and Sustainable Development: Who Owns Paradise? by Martha Honey, Island Press, 1999.

Choosing a Program

1. Eligibility & Preparation
2. Advising
3. Application & Deadlines
4. Scholarships
5. Environmental Responsibility
6. Public Service Abroad

Study Abroad Options

1. Semester & Yearlong
2. Summer Programs
3. Non-Tulane Programs

Study Abroad Policies

1. Credits and Grades
2. Tuition & Financial Aid
3. Health & Safety

Accepted Students

1. Participation Forms
2. Pre-departure Orientation
3. Course Registration Abroad
4. Returning to Tulane

JYA Alumni

1. Photo Contest & Events
2. Staying Involved
3. Homecoming
4. Alumni Affairs Overseas Travel