On a recent trip to Boston to visit family, I found myself in the quintessential green conundrum; how to get there without a massive carbon footprint. To drive from my tiny Maryland college to Boston, Massachusetts takes about a day and up to three tanks of gas, while flying takes only about four hours on the road and in the air, not to mention I only need use about half a tank of gas.
So what’s a girl to do?
When traveling green there are always more considerations than just environmental impact, time being a major one. Flying allowed me more sleep and the chance to still catch my morning class. Ah, the luxuries of air travel! But what is the real green way to go here?
Due to the distance and high altitude of plane flight, airplanes are known to release significantly higher amounts of greenhouse gasses than automobiles. Up to 2% of the total carbon emissions in the world annually come from air travel and the higher altitudes at which these gasses are emitted make them four times more damaging than if they were emitted at ground level.
Some airlines are combating this by offering voluntary carbon offsetting programs where passengers opt to pay an extra fee that goes towards environmental protection programs such as reforestation and energy conservation measures. But this offsetting still fails to recognize the impact of plane emissions, instead focusing on the appearance of “doing good” for environment while continuing to “do bad.”
Other options include the manufacture and research of planes, which require less fuel to run. Boeing and Airbus have already teamed up with the European easyJet to work on “ecoJet,” a planes more aerodynamically designed to decrease air resistance and use less fuel. Boeing has even tested the use of a small hydrogen airplane, boding well for future models. Composite materials are also being discussed to create a lighter craft, reducing the fuel needed to start and sustain flight.
So what is the lesson? Luckily airlines are looking into greener methods of flight, but we have to take the responsibility too. Reducing how often you travel by air is a good way. Try taking the train for your long-distance travel, or deals like the MegaBus. Both use nominally less fuel, and while they do take longer, you’ll feel a little better knowing your travel footprint is a little smaller.
I am an junior English major/ Philosophy minor at Washington College in Chestertown, Maryland. Currently I am spending the spring of 2009 studying at the University College Cork in Cork, Ireland.
