We all love to travel. So how can we reduce the environmental impact of flying?
Although aviation currently only contributes 2% of global man-made carbon emissions, it is good to know that the aviation industry leaders are coming together to discuss how they can make progressive changes to reduce environmental impact, considering that travel is projected to multiply twofold in the next few years!
Avoiding or reducing air travel and taking alternative ground transport like electric trains and buses are viable alternatives especially for well connected cities like Europe and Japan, wherever possible of course. We can also opt for hybrid/fuel efficient cars on roadtrips, instead of city hopping via domestic flying.
While we wait for technological improvements on fuel efficiency, the most immediate and viable option is through carbon offset, by donating to green projects that will help compensate for our emissions per flight. Hardly a new concept, it is unfortunately not mainstream, not at least in Singapore where we hardly find airlines that allow us to pay for offsets as an option in the booking process (hence not reminding us of our flight’s carbon impact). Though it may sound like an easy way out to many, it is still better to do something than do nothing. If your airline does not have a carbon offset option, the Gold Standard initiative by WWF have green initiatives that you can support online. You can also check out www.standfortrees.org to see how you can offset your carbon footprint.
Raising kids to have an environmental conscience also helps! It may seem insignificant, but they are the ones who will be helping to look after the planet long after we are gone.
#ShellAviation #SP #sustainableflying
