Many airlines are offering travelers the option to offset the carbon emissions of their flight by purchasing carbon offsets when making reservations, at the airport or even onboard. Marriott Hotels has joined the greening of travel by offering guests the option to make a minimum donation of $10, which will offset the average carbon generated by electricity and gas consumption in one guest room for 10 nights. The contributions are tax deductible.

Guest contributions to Marriott’s carbon offset program will be used to help protect the Juma rainforest reserve in Brazil. Donations will help fund personnel and equipment to monitor and protect the forest, in addition to providing a school, medical facility and community center for Juma’s residents. Chief Financial Officer Arne Sorenson, co-chair of Marriott’s Executive Green Council, said “Conserving rainforests–the lungs of the Earth–is one of the most important things we can do to improve the climate.” The Juma Sustainable Development Reserve includes 1.4 million acres of pristine rainforest in Brazil and without intervention, it is projected that 62 percent of the Juma rainforest would be lost to illegal deforestation. You can donate at marriott.justgive.org/donate and view a video about the initiative at http://www.youtube.com/marriottgreen