Offsetting carbon emissions is soaring in air travel - but is it effective?

As airlines - and travelers - reckon with the environmental impact of air travel, carbon offsetting has become a popular practice in the aviation industry. Numerous airlines allow passengers to voluntarily donate to environmental organizations in an effort to alleviate the effects associated with carbon emissions from flights. As the offsetting movement has grown, however, so, too, have questions about the efficacy of the endeavor. Although some experts say offsetting has not only led to change but also motivated travelers to be more eco-conscious, the other side argues that airlines need to first pursue different emission-reducing options to make a genuine impact.