Air travel and global warming
Cheap fares are great. But traveling by air contributes more to global warming per passenger than any other form of transportation.
Aviation contributes up to 9 percent of total climate change impact of human activity and it’s growing. Since 1990, carbon dioxide emissions from international air travel and freight delivery have increased 83 percent.
Aircraft emissions are produced at cruising altitudes high in the atmosphere. Scientific studies have shown that these high-altitude emissions have a more harmful climate impact because they trigger a series of chemical reactions and atmospheric effects that have a net warming effect.
Because the climate impacts of air transportation are not adequately regulated under national or international laws, it is up to each of us to limit air travel.
Consider taking a vacation closer to home. Use other modes of transport where possible. Trains and buses, for example, are much more energy efficient than airplanes. Even cars can be more efficient than planes --especially with more than one passenger.
Use video-conferences for meetings and webcams to keep in touch with family and friends who live far away.
If you do have to fly: Try to minimize the number of flights you take by combining trips. Fly during the daytime. Studies have shown that flights taken at night have a greater impact on the climate.
And contact your political representatives. Ask them to take action to regulate and limit greenhouse gas emissions from aviation.