The Millenium Development Goals, agreed to by every member country of the United Nations in 2000, call for the worldwide eradication of poverty and hunger, universal education, gender equality and huge improvements in health by 2015: two years ago!!
Can we do this without making the planet warmer?
Let's think big and imagine how we can confront the climate crisis in a way that is realistic about the other major problems that we face as a planet and as a species on it.
Clean Development >
Flying Less
Flying is the biggest way I add to my carbon footprint. Planes use a lot of fuel and release pollution into the air. To cut down on this, I can fly less and take trains or buses for shorter trips. If I do fly, picking direct flights helps because takeoff and landing create the most pollution. Some airlines are working on fuel-efficient planes, and I can also use carbon offset programs to support eco-friendly projects. A big question is how the aviation industry can make flying greener.
Just like you, my carbon footprint suffered massively from the number of flights I take. My dad is a pilot and my mom used to be a flight attendant, so I practically grew up in the air. Direct flights are definitely the best way to reduce carbon emissions without actually traveling less. Even so, I think we should push airlines to find more environmentally-friendly business practices and increase fuel efficiency.