What’s the Environmental Impact of Flying Cross-Country?

With millions traversing the globe to reach their loved ones for the holidays, travel (particularly air travel) is top of mind. How can I avoid the lines? Will I be able to fit all these gifts in my carry-on? But one more question arises in the environmentally conscious: What’s this going to do to my carbon footprint?

Aviation is, at its core, a fossil fuel industry, one which guzzles a shocking 5 million barrels of oil every single day. Burning this fuel to get you to your grandma’s place in Wisconsin or that winter getaway in Hawaii currently contributes to close to 2.5 percent of total carbon emissions. Experts expect this figure to rise to 22 percent by 2050, even as other sectors start cutting...

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Ken Notes: Still better than cars. UW can we find ways to reduce this?