When taking to the skies this summer, the environmentally-minded among us might feel a pang of guilt about the carbon footprint of our air travels. And, according to a report just published in the journal Environmental Science and Technology, that pang is justified.
Researchers assessed the climate impact for passenger trips of 300-600 miles, a common distance for vacations and business trips, and a distance at which a variety of alternative transportation options are feasible.
Transportation impacts were based on CO2 emissions data from European cars, buses, trains, and airplanes. The study also included emissions of ozone precursors and aerosols. These emissions have a shorter atmospheric life – from days to decades – but are responsible for about 1/3 human-generated warming.
Air travel had the biggest climate impact per mile. But car travel was no panacea— especially if people opted to travel alone in gas guzzling vehicles. We reached Jens Borken-Kleefeld, an author on the paper and a research scholar at the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis, in Austria….
“Make your Congressman (or Congresswoman) ask for stronger, tighter fuel economy standards for cars and light trucks. This will save money for yourself, the economy, and save fuel and emissions for the climate.”
The study’s authors say, when it comes to travel, climate mitigation efforts should concentrate on improving fuel efficiency and developing low-carbon fuels. And, if you want to travel green, carpool or take public transportation wherever possible.
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Web Extra
Full interview with Jens Borken-Kleefeld, a research scholar at the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis
[audio:http://wamcradio.org/EarthWise/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/kleefeld_full_web.mp3|titles=kleefeld_full_web].
Web Links
Study identifies travel choices for a smaller carbon footprint
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2013-06/iifa-sit061713.php
Photo, taken on July 26, 2011, courtesy of Kuster and Wildhaber Photography via Flickr.
Earth Wise is a production of WAMC Northeast Public Radio. Support for Earth Wise comes from the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies in Millbrook, NY.