Article: Should I Fly?

Question 1

Which uses more carbon? Air travel or travel by train.

Answer 1

Train travel does use carbon, but a lot less than air travel.

Question 2

In terms of climate change, why is traveling by train better than air travel?

Answer 2

Traveling by train uses much less carbon so is more environmentally friendly than air travel - it creates less greenhouse gas.

Question 3

In terms of spending, how could train travel be considered less ethical than air travel?

Answer 3

Train travel takes longer than air travel. That means tourists spend less time in the destination economy and so support it less.

Question 4

What is the problem train travel creates for tourist destinations (in terms of money spent)?

Answer 4

If tourists travel by train, they will spend less money in their destination because train travel takes so long compared to air travel.

Question 5

Which uses more carbon per passenger kilometre, large cars or flying?

Answer 5

Large cars and SUVs use up more carbon per passenger kilometre than flying.

Question 6

Large cars use up more carbon per ______ ______ than flying.

Answer 6

Large cars and SUVs use up more carbon per passenger kilometre than flying.

Question 7

If large cars use up more carbon per passenger kilometre than flying, is flying therefore not so bad?

Answer 7

Even though large cars use up more carbon per passenger kilometre, when we fly we travel very large distances. As such, we use up a lot more carbon.

Question 8

How much carbon is used (per person) on a long haul flight?

Answer 8

About 4 tones of carbon is used (per person) on a long haul flight.

Question 9

Is four tones (for a long haul flight) a lot of carbon per person?

Answer 9

Four tonnes per person is a large amount - the average person in the UK uses about 8.5 tonnes per year!

Question 10

What is the target usage of carbon set by the TIndall Centre for Climate Change?

Answer 10

The TIndall Centre for Climate Change says we need to cut emissions by 90% - or down to 1 tonne per person by 2050.

Question 11

Why is the target use of carbon for 2050 set by the TIndall Centre for Climate Change impossible if you fly?

Answer 11

The 2050 target of 1 tonne per person is impossible if you fly because a single long haul flight uses 4 tonnes.

Question 12

What percentage of annual CO2 emissions are from aviation (flying)?

Answer 12

About 600-700 million tonnes of total annual CO2 emissions are from aviation. That is about 2-3% of global CO2 emissions.

Question 13

2-3% of global CO2 emissions are from what source?

Answer 13

2-3% of global CO2 emissions are from flying.

Question 14

What is the fastest-growing contributor to CO2 emissions?

Answer 14

Aviation is the fastest growing contributor to CO2 emissions.

Question 15

CO2 emissions from avaiation are expected to do what in the future?

Answer 15

CO2 emissions from flying are expected to almost double by 2030.

Question 16

What is the terrible irony for many poor countries which are dependent on tourism?

Answer 16

Unfortunately, many poor countries which are dependent on tourism will be most affected by climate change.

Question 17

What is one example of a low lying country which is dependent on tourism?

Answer 17

The Maldives is one country which is dependent on tourism but also at risk from rising sea levels.

Question 18

Apart from rising sea levels, what other problem will climate change bring to island nations?

Answer 18

Tourists flock to see marine life such as coral reefs - however climate change is leading to the destruction of such environments.

Question 19

How can tourists still travel but have less impact on the environment?

Answer 19

Tourists could still travel but not affect the environment as much if they choose alternative travel such as trains,

Question 20

How can tourists support the economy of their host country?

Answer 20

By staying longer, tourists can ensure their contribution to the host economy is greater.