I admit it, I just don’t get the carbon offset thing. I understand the premise but it seems just another way to buy our way out of guilt or even allow folks to continue a lifestyle that is less than green. How about everyone reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the first place?
An article in Reuters caught my eye yesterday, Critics says air travel carbon offsetting too crude. According to the article, ”…airlines calculate the carbon emissions from their flights differently, underlining uncertainty about the credibility of offset calculators.”
Apparently variation in the type of airplane and whether or not it’s full isn’t taken into account when an airline calculates a single number to cover all situations. Add to that the confusion about carbon offsets, what they are and how much the perceived cost might be as indicated by a recent Expedia survey. The result is that many people don’t use carbon offsets.
Airline emmissions only account for 3 percent of CO2 emissions, but they are rapidly increasing because air traffic is growing by 3.1 percent a year. And, while 3 percent doesn’t sound like a lot, it is higher than most industries that produce carbon emissions, according to an article in The Washington Independent.
So what are airlines doing about carbon emissions?
Seatguru reports that Continental Airlines has replaced most of their fleet with energy efficient planes and is considered an environmental leader among the legacy carriers. Virgin Atlantic is leading the way in alternative energy for aviation. EasyJet is installing new energy-efficient engines in its fleet of Airbus A319s. Lufthansa plans to have 10 percent of its fuel derived from alternative sources within 12 years.
What can you, as a traveler, do about carbon emissions?
When you travel, travel green. suggestions are from Reduce Your Business Travel Carbon Footprint Without Paying Carbon Extortion Charges.
- Choose “green” accommodations
- Reuse hotel sheets and towels
- Ride hybrid.
- Use public transportation.
- Eat and shop local.
Travelers can also look for energy efficient aircraft when they fly. Seatguru noted the following as eco-friendly:
- Airbus A319
- Boeing 787 Dreamliner
- Bombardier CSeries
- Turboprop planes currently used by Alaska, Continental, Porter, and Qantas
Resources:
- Business Travel Logue: Reduce Your Business Travel Carbon Footprint Without Paying Carbon Extortion Charges
- Seatguru by Trip Advisor: Green Aircraft and Airlines
- Reuters: Critics says air travel carbon offsetting too crude
- The Washington Independent: Just How Green Can An Airline Be?
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Welcome to Verda Vivo. My name is Daryl Warner Laux.
The only time I took a plane this year was to go to London. I could have gone by train but it was too expensive.
I could have offset my emissions but the price was too low to be serious ( less than a dozen euros).
I agree with you, people should take the plane less altogether. Higher oil prices will help them in that.
Other thing : fast trains should be developed. In France we have trains that can go up to 300 km/h (200 mph approx). They are not that expensive, even less if you have a rebate card like me.
I avoided the emissions of 900 kilograms of CO2 this year thanks to trains. A great thing !
Keep up the good work Daryl and enjoy your weekend !
The problem with all these carbon offset things is far destinations that are out of the way like Tasmania.
http://www.discovertasmania.com/destinations
Does this mean that the public will get so scared that no one will come.
I don’t think so, it is just that people will mostly fly less frequently small distances.
As I outlined in one of my articles, people will still fly in the future, but they will take their time. Indeed, the faster you go, the more energy you consume.
Source :
http://www.elrst.com/2008/08/07/time-to-slow-down/
Depending on the destination, the cost of fuel is having a big impact on airlines and travel:
“The Air Transport Association of America, (ATA), forecasts that 16 million passengers will travel globally on U.S. airlines during the 2008 Labor Day holiday period, spanning Wed., Aug. 27 through Wed., Sept. 3. This is a decline of 5.7 percent from the 17 million passengers estimated to have traveled on U.S. airlines during the same period last year.
The projected decline consists of a 6.5 percent drop in domestic travel and a 1.0 percent increase in international travel. High energy prices across the economy, rising airfares and airline schedule cuts are the primary drivers of the overall reduction in passenger volumes expected for this period.”
Additionally the article notes that “Since the end of 2007, 12 U.S. carriers have shut down or are attempting to reorganize in bankruptcy.”
Source: http://www.airlines.org/news/releases/2008/news_08-18-08.htm