ecotips
Favor Sustainable Flight The Globalist reports that the world’s aircraft contribute to global warming by producing 600 million tons of carbon dioxide (CO2
) a year,
while U.S. airports alone generate more than 425,000 tons of garbage, according to the Natu- ral Resources Defense Council’s report, Trash Landings. So what are airlines doing to mitigate their environmental impact and how can travel- ers become wiser in choosing a carrier? Without an authoritative source ranking
airlines to identify the greenest, it’s up to passengers to search for information on the company websites. Terms to research include: sustainability; environmental policy; corporate and social responsibility; recycling; and carbon emissions or carbon off- sets. The “About Us” sections might also have clues. An absence of relevant infor- mation also indicates company priorities. Look for the following information:
n A firm target for increasing fuel efficiency
n Fewer flight delays (avoids burning excess fuel). The U.S. Department of Transportation tracks delay informa- tion by airline (
tinyurl.com/3hnll8d)
n A link to carbon offset plans and/or the option to buy an offset in a ticket purchase
GreenTravelerGuides.com offers practical tips for making the most of eco-friendly flying and homing in on guaranteed- green destinations.
n A newer, more fuel-efficient fleet n Airplanes designed with winglets—wing tip extensions that reduce drag and provide extra lift, cutting fuel use
n A system to recapture toxic glycol after it’s sprayed on airplanes in de-icing operations
n A recycling program for trash, both onboard and in terminals Tips to minimize the eco-impact of personal air travel:
n Write to favorite airlines about your desire to see them become more eco- friendly. Encourage them to establish waste recycling policies, fuel-efficient practices and carbon offset programs.
n Travel light; the less and lighter the baggage cargo, the less fuel is needed to fly. (Creative carriers add their own innovations: Alaska Airlines found that it could save $10,000 annually in fuel costs by removing just five magazines per aircraft.)
n Book a direct flight. Takeoffs and landings are a major source of CO2 your own lunch or snacks, in reusable containers, to limit fast-food waste.
. Pack
n After arriving at your destination, choose eco-friendly ground transportation, such as your hotel’s shuttle or a green rental car service.
n If you have a choice of airports, choose one that conducts a recycling program; the National Resources Defense Council has praised those initiated by international airports in Los Angeles, Fort Lauderdale, Seattle-Tacoma and Portland, Oregon.
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change notes that greenhouse gas pollution from flying aircraft may be up to four times more damaging to the envi- ronment than the same levels of pollution emitted at ground level.
Source:
GreenYour.com 18 Collier/Lee Counties
swfl.naturalawakeningsmag.com
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