Reduce flying
Earth Points40 
EaseMedium
Summary
Flying is the most polluting form of transportation. To mitigate this, cut back on flights where possible, explore closer vacation options, and use alternative transportation.
Description
Join with millions of others who are avoiding flying when they can to avoid our only planet from over-heating.
We have all heard that flying is one of the worst forms of transportation for the environment. But how much worse is it actually?
If you are traveling solo, a domestic flight is 45% more polluting than driving the same distance in a fossil fuel-burning car. The negative impact of flying is even higher if the alternative is an electric car. Flying looks comparatively even worse if you are traveling with others. Best of all is taking a train or bus. Flying is almost 10 times more polluting.
In addition to climate pollution from burning jet fuel, planes also leave behind contrails in the atmosphere, which are little particles of water and soot that contribute to global heating. These artificial clouds act like a blanket, trapping heat in the atmosphere.
Even if you cannot completely cut flying out of your life, consider ways to cut back where possible until petroleum-based fuel is replaced with a sustainable alternative. For frequent flyers, it is usually the biggest personal action you can take to reduce your climate pollution. Keep in mind that 80 percent of people in the world have never taken a flight in their life.
We have all heard that flying is one of the worst forms of transportation for the environment. But how much worse is it actually?
If you are traveling solo, a domestic flight is 45% more polluting than driving the same distance in a fossil fuel-burning car. The negative impact of flying is even higher if the alternative is an electric car. Flying looks comparatively even worse if you are traveling with others. Best of all is taking a train or bus. Flying is almost 10 times more polluting.
In addition to climate pollution from burning jet fuel, planes also leave behind contrails in the atmosphere, which are little particles of water and soot that contribute to global heating. These artificial clouds act like a blanket, trapping heat in the atmosphere.
Even if you cannot completely cut flying out of your life, consider ways to cut back where possible until petroleum-based fuel is replaced with a sustainable alternative. For frequent flyers, it is usually the biggest personal action you can take to reduce your climate pollution. Keep in mind that 80 percent of people in the world have never taken a flight in their life.
Tips
• Does that meeting really need to happen in person, or could you have it by video? If you are not in charge of deciding how meetings occur, try explaining how much time and money is saved by eliminating or reducing in-person meetings.
• Have you explored vacation options closer to home that do not require a flight? There are usually amazing things nearby that we never took the time to explore and appreciate.
• Explore alternative forms of transportation for your trip. Trains and buses are naturally the best option if it is realistic.
• If you must fly, opt for economy class as the flying business class emits about much more carbon than economy because the seats take up more room.
• Consider taking a Flying Fast. For example, choosing not to fly during specific holidays, seasons, or religious occasions.
• You can also offset the climate pollution from any flights you take. However, be wary about the different carbon offset options since many of them are ineffective at reducing carbon and should be considered greenwashing. Skipping flying is the only sure way to reduce climate pollution until the airline industry adopts sustainable practices.
• Have you explored vacation options closer to home that do not require a flight? There are usually amazing things nearby that we never took the time to explore and appreciate.
• Explore alternative forms of transportation for your trip. Trains and buses are naturally the best option if it is realistic.
• If you must fly, opt for economy class as the flying business class emits about much more carbon than economy because the seats take up more room.
• Consider taking a Flying Fast. For example, choosing not to fly during specific holidays, seasons, or religious occasions.
• You can also offset the climate pollution from any flights you take. However, be wary about the different carbon offset options since many of them are ineffective at reducing carbon and should be considered greenwashing. Skipping flying is the only sure way to reduce climate pollution until the airline industry adopts sustainable practices.
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Photo Credit
Photo by Documerica on Unsplash