It's pretty tough to live in Jackson Hole and not be influenced by the outdoor industry. Everyone I know runs, bikes, hikes, skis, climbs, floats, fishes or hunts. Thus, everyone I know is a gear hound and should appreciate the efforts the outdoor industry is making to reduce its carbon footprint.

About the time I launched this blog, the Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) challenged the outdoor industry to offset 10% of its carbon emissions from travel to and from the Outdoor Retailer Winter Tradeshow in Salt Lake City. In addition, the tradeshow was held at the Salt Palace Convention Center, the largest LEED certified building in Utah, featuring the largest solar power lighting system in the state.

Today, OIA announced that their carbon neutral challenge offset more than 1000 tons of CO2.

While OIA didn't meet their goal of 10% of Outdoor Retailer attendees participating, they "came close" with 140 companies participating by offsetting the travel of more than 750 employees. By purchasing wind and methane credits through Native Energy, OIA estimates the offsets added up to:

• removing 201 vehicles from the road for the entire year
• eliminating 500 round trip, coast-to-coast airline trips
• running 1003 refrigerators for a year

Kudos to OIA and its members. Go for 20% participation or more for your summer tradeshow.

Carbon Neutral Journal's kudos are brought to you by Grand Targhee Resort.

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