Science_Illustrated_Australia_-_Issue70_2019

Airliners consume jet fuel that is based on crude oil, and

they emit carbon dioxide. With increased global travelling,

emissions from international aviation have doubled in the

past 25 years, although individual planes have become

more energy-efficient. According to scientists’ calculations,

for every long flight – such as to Europe and back – you do

not take, you will reduce emissions by several tonnes of CO 2.

However, plane-fuel CO 2 emissions are not the only climate

impact of aviation. The white stripes of water vapour and ice

crystals in the sky behind high-flying jets also have an effect.

The stripes reflect heat radiation sent into space back

towards the Earth’s surface, contributing to global warming.

According to scientists, life without a car could save the

atmosphere from 2.4 tonnes of CO 2 annually. The effect

depends on what you do instead. If you cycle, the effect is

the full 2.4 tonnes, whereas a change to public transport

reduces the emissions by 25-75%. An electric car which is only

powered by electricity from green energy sources could

neutralise about 50% of a car’s CO 2 emissions, but it will never

be completely carbon-neutral.

Keep your feet

on the ground

Sell your car

HIGH IMPACT

GIVE UP ONE LONG FLIGHT NO CAR

ELECTRIC CARS ALSO EMIT PLENTY OF CO 2

The production of electric cars and batteries emits CO 2 ,

and if the power in your socket is not from green energy

sources, the electric car will harm the environment almost

as much as a petrol-powered car.

JET STRIPES HOLD BACK HEAT

High-flying jet planes produce trails of vapour and ice

crystals. The stripes block out the sunlight and retain heat,

and in overall terms, they contribute to global warming.

During the day,

vapour trails reflect

sunlight, contributing

to slight cooling.

All day long, the

stripes reflect heat

radiation back

towards Earth.

CO 2 EMISSIONS

28-42 t

0204060

50-53 t

Production of power and petrol

Engine emissions

Battery production

Production, maintenance, etc.

SH

UTT

ERS

TOC

K

POWER

PETROL

38 | SCIENCE ILLUSTRATED

NATURE CLIMATE

Annual^ redu

ction:

1.^6 ton

nes^

of^ CO 2

Annual^ red

uction:

2.^4 to

nnes^

of^ CO 2