4 ms·

Talk about carbon footprint... I bet he feels great about that.

• macinjosh 9y ago
  Indeed, I am always dumbfounded by the progressive, jet-set class that complain endlessly about CO2 emissions and then go fly across the world. Eating and buying local is good for the environment, but so is staying local. /off-topic-rant
  • melling 9y ago
    My understanding is that if we did everything you say, it wouldn’t make a dent in the problem. It doesn’t really address the core problem with CO2 emissions.
    • mikeash 9y ago
      No individual action will. The problem isn't reducing your emissions, it's convincing everybody to do so. Focusing on air travel is particularly strange, since air travel only accounts for 2-3% of total CO2 emissions.
  • Cerium 9y ago
    I think the world would be better off if more people traveled. Travel is an opportunity to expand your views and get along better with others. I would rather give up cars, meat, most mass produced goods, and single family homes before travel.
    • croon 9y ago
      That's pretty close to a Mark Twain quote: > “Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one's lifetime.”
    • badosu 9y ago
      There's a striking difference between knowing a different culture/region and commuting everyday to work.
    • DrScump 9y ago
      The incremental waste of an additional passenger on a commercial (or full charter) flight is very different from a flight that exists to serve the needs of exactly one individual. That said, I could envision compromising my values if somebody wants to get me a Cirrus Vision[0] for Xmas. [0] https://cirrusaircraft.com/aircraft/vision-jet/ https://cirrusaircraft.com/aircraft/vision-jet/
• Raphmedia 9y ago
  "And, while von Badinski is aware that his flight comes with a significant carbon footprint, the Bay Area leg of his journey is more environmentally friendly. He keeps a plug-in hybrid vehicle at Oakland airport for the drive into San Francisco." Could anyone do the math?
  • melling 9y ago
    Sure, it’s a rounding error. Basically, it’s irrelevant.
  • danielvf 9y ago
    Assuming a PC-12, about 79 gallons of jet fuel, one way. Seats for six, eight or nine people depending on the configuration. Let's say eight, so ten gallons of jet fuel per person per direction. A gallon of jet fuel releases 20lbs of CO2, so 200lbs. PC-12's are really efficient aircraft, both in terms of fuel usage, but also maintenance. Your average business jet costs 5-10 times more per hour to operate (not counting pilots)
    • codefined 9y ago
      How does this compare to, for instance, your average car running for an hour?
      • mikeash 9y ago
        The average car will burn about three gallons of gasoline an hour cruising on the highway, so about 60lbs of CO2.
        • mysterydip 9y ago
          If you assume highway cruising to be 60mph, that's only 20mpg. That seems a low average for modern cars.
          • mikeash 9y ago