Don’t fly if you don’t have to

**njiang46** · 09-23-2009, 02:57 PM

Many environmentalists think that flights are the biggest killer to the environment. However, aviation claims that they only product four percent of global CO2 emission. To track your own carbon footprint, if you are not in rush, don’t fly if you don’t have to or travel by the train instead.

**Jamauk** · 09-23-2009, 03:15 PM

.....had a post typed out. Never mind, I'm not even going to go there.

**Greebo** · 09-23-2009, 03:16 PM

Originally Posted by Jamauk

"Many environmentalists" have also been wrong about "many topics". I'm not going to debate this, but your information is WRONG.

I missed you.

SO MUCH!!!

**Jamauk** · 09-23-2009, 03:21 PM

HA! You nabbed my post before I deleted it! I had more typed out, too. But its not worth it. People believe what they want to believe and no amount of *good* science will change their minds.

(I knew you'd be all over this thread, too)

**Greebo** · 09-23-2009, 03:36 PM

Oh, yeah, well...that's kinda my job now.

Please bear in mind that any intense debate should be done at http://www.iquarrel.com, our sister site.

Thanks!

**Jamauk** · 09-23-2009, 03:45 PM

I signed up for an account over there, but no one is ever there. Oh well, I had a ton of fun debating and I'm sad that its gone now, but its not why I come here.

**Greebo** · 09-23-2009, 03:48 PM

I tend to forget myself. Sara deletes a lot more of my posts than she should have to

**Luv2BeFrugal** · 09-24-2009, 06:22 PM

Flying is the ONLY way to get to most places up here in Alaska...there aren't roads to much of the state. And the train is pretty much just for tourists (ie. it's EXPENSIVE) to take it...$$$$$...

It takes 5 DAYS to drive from Anchorage to Seattle. Talk about a carbon footprint from that!! Whew!! Gonna have to stick with flying...little that I do.

**Palooka** · 09-25-2009, 02:09 AM

I can only imagine the biggest economic collapse if the world didn't fly to take care of business. I on the other hand just needs a couple of xanax and I am good to go.

**littleplum** · 09-25-2009, 12:51 PM

Originally Posted by njiang46

Many environmentalists think that flights are the biggest killer to the environment. However, aviation claims that they only product four percent of global CO2 emission. To track your own carbon footprint, if you are not in rush, don’t fly if you don’t have to or travel by the train instead.

Hmmm...let's see. I need to go from Chicago to Phoenix to see my family.

I can fly, and it takes me 7 hours total, from the time I get to the airport until we get our rental car, for only $400-450.

Or, we can drive, and it takes us a day and a half (36 hours), including bathroom breaks and a stop off to sleep and shower some place, for the cost of gas plus the hotel room and meals (about $450-500).

Or, we can take the train, taking 2 days to get to Flagstaff, get a hotel room over night, then rent a car and drive the 2-3 hours into Phoenix, getting stuck in the traffic jam from Anthem into Phoenix if we time our arrival wrong, costing about $800 including meals and extra fuel and cab fare to get to Union Station in Chicago.

Every minute I spend traveling is less time that I get to spend with family and friends. Every extra dollar that I spend cuts my trip shorter. Usually our whole budget for a two week trip is $1250.

I think I know which I will pick.

**monkeywrangler71** · 09-25-2009, 01:17 PM

"Many environmentalists" think that the dimming effect of jet contrails is helping to offset and delay global warming.

**Jamauk** · 09-25-2009, 02:24 PM

Also, for those of you worried about the carbon footprint your flying will leave, JetBlue (shameless plug!

) will now allow you to purchase carbon credits while flying on their planes.

**Missy** · 09-25-2009, 06:49 PM

what are carbon credits? (Missed your posts Jessica!) I dunno. Sometimes it's nice to take your time and drive, but for the traveling I have had to do, I fly.

I am sure there are studies. Lets say the same hundred people on a plane all decide to drive that distance. How many of these people would car pool together? how many would drive by them selves? How many of them keep their cars optimially (sp?) maintained for minimal carbon emission? How many drive old clunkers that belch smoke and fumes? (I know my van isn't the the most perfectly sound for the environment.) I dunno, just seems like the same effect either way...plane or car, just in different ways. I think there are merits to either. If it's loong distances, I will choose to fly. If i have time and ability (and have taken my xanax) i will take the family in the car. For what it's worth, the last three times I have flown, I would be in no position to drive or to sit on a train for a few days (Lost my mom, lost my uncle and had to bury them both...three different trips)

**MTS04** · 09-25-2009, 06:58 PM

Well, cow flatulence is supposedly contributing to the ozone too, according to environmentalists. So, I guess I'll be sure to not take flights with any cows, don't want to hasten the erosion.

seriously, look up your facts before posting stuff like that. Don't believe everything you see in an email, or on wikipedia, etc.

remember, the plural of anecdote is not data.

**MTS04** · 09-25-2009, 07:01 PM

Originally Posted by Missy

what are carbon credits? (Missed your posts Jessica!) I dunno. Sometimes it's nice to take your time and drive, but for the traveling I have had to do, I fly.

Here ya go
http://www.jetblue.com/green/whatyoucando.asp

Love carbonfund.org. I offset the carbon of my car each year with them.