Quick tips to reduce your airline travel footprint 

BY GAVIN LEIGHTON FOR GREENING OF OIL

Recently I wrote about how one could lessen the environmental footprint of driving.  However, we all know driving isn't useful for many of the very long journeys (eg. from New York, NY to Los Angeles, CA).

So we travel these long distances routinely by taking airplanes. 

Unfortunately, the flight industry uses massive amounts of fuel to transport people from one place to another. Additionally, there is some evidence to suggest that since airplanes are emitting gasses high in the atmosphere, they are having a larger effect than if these same emissions were emitted at ground level. To begin to remedy this issue, there are several things we can do to lessen the environmental footprint of aviation. 

(Start the conversation. See comments section at bottom of page.)

While we're packing for a flight, we ponder how much we will be charged for checking luggage; and in some cases, we forego checked bags because of these fees. But there's another good reason to pack light: the fewer bags you take the less fuel is burned during your trip. 

For every bag that is put on a plane, extra energy is needed to take off, maintain airspeed, and land. So while we may want to bring that extra pair of sandals for convenience, we can avoid baggage fees as well as increased fuel consumption by leaving them behind. 

Another headache associated with flying is connecting flights and long layovers spent in airports. Reducing the amount of connections not only saves you time, but can also save on the fuel needed to get you from point A to point B. As I stated earlier, every flight has to spend large amounts of fuel on the energy-intensive aspects of taking off and landing the plane. Connecting in fewer cities will directly reduce the number of landings and take-offs. I realize advertised rates for flights with 2-3 stops register as cheaper, but take the time to really do the math after taxes, fees and 'entertainment spending' that often occurs during long layovers. A lot of us can justify spending up to $100 extra to get somewhere directly to avoid the unnecessary spending that takes place by stopping at multiple airports. 

And while this may not be feasible for regional airports, many of the larger cities have direct flights to and from other major cities. And a second option if there are definitely no direct flights, is to fly to a nearby airport and drive or take a train to your final destination. By flying as directly as possibly, you can save yourself hours of travel time as well as lessening your travel footprint. 

Finally, we can also utilize the top of the line electronics and forego some flights altogether.  For some meetings of conferences, it may be more worthwhile to hold the meeting over a phone or computer.  And if you are going to be conferencing with an environmentally minded client or business, they could very well appreciate the idea of avoiding flight expenditures as well. Holding fewer meetings face-to-face will save the participants travel time and will simultaneously reduce our environmental footprint.

When you are purchasing tickets online, many air carriers offer a carbon offset fee in addition to the ticket price. However, there are other useful ways to reduce your environmental footprint from flying.  The described methods above focus on reducing the fuel needed for flying planes, but these methods can also save you time and money when you travel. 

Links of interest

Airlines that offer carbon credits programs

TerraPass Carbon Management Services: award-winning provider of carbon credits for individuals, families and businesses 

About Gavin Leighton

Gavin Leighton is a first year graduate student studying biology at the University of Miami. He is focusing his efforts on the maintenance of a cooperative behavior in an African passerine.

Born and raised near Philadelphia, PA, Leighton attended Colgate University in New York. At Colgate, he majored in environmental biology and was the president of the environmental student group on campus for two years. Leighton was also a member of the sustainability council at Colgate University. The council was a group composed of faculty, staff, and students that made advised the administration on environmental decisions.

Visit Leighton's website