After doing the carbon footprint calculation, I was surprised. I have noticed that in my results, traveling on an airplane to Hong Kong once a year (roundtrip) adds over 7500 kg to my footprint. Moreover, the 7500kg of CO2 caused by the plane trip consists of over 75% of my transportation footprint. I was also shocked by the fact that according to the website, a "globally sustainable" footprint level is only 1000 kg per capita, which is about 1/7.5 of flying roundtrip to Hong Kong. No wonder the level of CO2 in our atmosphere is increasing so dramatically causing various problems like ocean acidification. Any suggestion on how to reduce transportation carbon footprint? Below is a graph of carbon emission of different transportation (from European Environment Agency).
[TERM 2014 - emissions from transport](//muut.com/u/footprint/s3/:footprint:DLRf:term2014emissionsfromtransport.jpg.jpg)
source: http://www.eea.europa.eu/media/infograp … sport/view

This also caught my attention because traveling add a lot to my carbon footprint because just like you, Dayuan, traveling takes up more than 75% of my transportation footrprint. We damage the earth a lot with our necessary actions. Let's work on reducing the actions that aren't necessary.

I have also observed that traveling is a major part of my carbon footprint. Although my total carbon footprint was lower than the average footprint of my region, my transportation portion was nearly three times my region's average! Airplane travel was the main contributor to my transportation carbon footprint, as I traveled nearly 20,000 km in airplanes this past year.
     Although these statistics may seem alarming, as we all know airplanes cause harm to our environment, my research shows that airplane travel is more efficient and better for our environment than traveling in cars. For example, all around the world automobiles burn roughly 3 and 1/2 billion liters of fuel every day, but airplanes burn less than 3 billion. In addition, the fuel used by airplanes is more efficient because hundreds of people can be transported in just one airplane, where only several people can ride in one car.
     For more information and statistics comparing the efficiency and  harm caused by airplanes and automobiles, read this article on: http://www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/ho … 34/?no-ist

Very nice post Dayuan. I really liked you graph and it truly is stunning how much a simple airplane ride adds to you carbon footprint. Last Christmas, I went to South Africa, and that trip alone gave me nearly 15,000 kg of CO2. Also, according to the graph you posted, it seems that trains are a very sustainable option for travel. I have traveled on trains for long distances many times; I have gone to New York, Chicago, and even Canada! Traveling on trains gives you the ability to see the terrain around you and to help the environment at the same time. I recommend it!

I relate to your astonishment, Dayuan. I found my own carbon emissions exponentially increased after entering in my airplane trips over the past year. My emissions were particularly affected by my trip to Costa Rica in the spring for a scientific immersion trip with Ecology Project International. While I note the detrimental effects of travel on the environment, I found that trip helpful to my understanding of ecosystems and the importance of conservation. Based on the supplied graph, it seems that carpooling and using public modes of transportation, such as buses and trains would help you reduce your carbon emissions while traveling. While I understand that this is not reasonable for a trip to China, cutting down on carbon emissions in your daily life could potentially lighten your carbon footprint.

I have seen some really good advices like raveling on a train instead of airplanes. And I think part of the reason why airplanes have high carbon emission is that they cover relatively long distances which would need large amount of fuel. Despite the fact that one plane can carry a lot of people at the same time, it is still a heavy "burden" to our carbon footprint. However, it would definitely help reduce our carbon footprint if we take more public transportations and carpools instead of driving ourselves all the time. Thank you for the comment!

Great post Dayuan! I was also surprised with my carbon footprint results for travel. However I can't say that it was air travel that gave me a twice the normal amount score. I drive a round trip of 60 miles 3-4 days a week for sports alone, and my car gets mediocre gas milage. Although my drive to and from school is not very far, by taking this long trek for sports I had double to normal amount. I agree that public transportation would be a better option, but my schedule is too time sensitive for that alternative. In regards to cutting down our CO2 emissions, I think we should try to limit the things we can (i.e. walk to places that are close enough), because unfortunately some forms of transportation are unavoidable (i.e. traveling over seas, etc).

I agree that traveling by airplanes does have an enormous effect on the global climate change pollution. Aviation is responsible for 5% of global climate change pollution and is that number is expected to double by 2020 and triple by 2050. Also in the U.S. alone, domestic travel is responsible for a quarter of the global aviation emissions. I find this absolutely ridiculous and I feel like the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) should do something to limit the amount of CO2. Another thing, at the airport so many airplanes have been delayed or simply sit there in the airport wasting fuel. The idea would be to hold the airplane back at the gate until it can proceed to the runway without delay, this would save $130 per ton of carbon dioxide! One method of reducing the carbon emissions would be using a biofuel blend to fuel the airplanes instead of kerosene. A biofuel blend cut soot emissions at least 50% in a Nasa testing and in new studies, researchers have found a way to make sugarcane a potential fuel for aviation. Thanks to achievements like this, I believ e that we can make a difference in reducing the Caron footprint of airplanes.

SOURCES:
http://www.flyingclean.com/issue_briefings
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/rundown/the … o-no-cost/
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/ener … emissions/