Carbon Footprints in the Air

One of the major contributors to the planet’s carbon footprint is pollution caused by transportation. Airplanes due to their size, distance traveled and fuel expenditures are some of the worst offenders. But sometimes, despite the threat of global warming, we have to get on a plane.

You can’t really have a cheap flight in my experience unless of course you consider the equivalent of a month’s rent cheap, but you can reduce the environmental cost of your trip. In this case, it’s about saving the airlines money but at the same time lowering your carbon impact on the flight.

The first thing I found out is that you should avoid flushing the toilet while in the air. It takes a liter or just over a third of a gallon of fuel to flush the toilet. Think about how many people are on a plane. And what about those international flights? Go if you have to go of course, but if you can go before getting on board or wait until you get off the plane, you’ll be helping the planet.

Another thing is book a day flight whenever you can. It’s better for the planet because the impact of the condensation trails the plane produces (a major player in the greenhouse gas team) are vastly reduced during the warmer air of the day.

Avoid choosing plastic containers in flight and pre flight whenever possible. Airport regulations make this difficult but if there is a glass bottle option, take it. And when you are in the airport terminal after your flight has been delayed for third time that day, don’t make stupid carbon filled purchases (Styrofoam containers, plastic bottles, plastic carrier bags etc.) just because you are bored and trying to kill time. Sit down and read a book.

According to Planet Green, a single plane flight saves the equivalent amount of carbon of choosing not to eat meat for an entire year (the whole cow methane gas thing).So miss a flight and save a year’s worth of carbon dioxide.

And if you do skip the flight and decide to drive instead, consider mass transportation first (train or coach) and if you have to go by car? What about making that switch to bio fuel?

But you know, for every flight you do take, you really should offset your carbon footprint with some carbon credit.