World Pays Heavy Price for Global Airline Boom

A Reuters story describes the growing contribution of airlines to CO₂ emissions and global warming. Besides creating clouds that help trap heat, according to the article a jumbo jet emits about 100 tons of CO₂ per 2,000 miles flown. According to the wind-energy industry, one megawatt of wind power may displace 250 tons of CO₂ in a year (see earlier post). This is almost certainly exaggerated, so it is fair to say that over an entire year, one megawatt of wind power may save the amount of CO₂ added to the atmosphere by only one transatlantic round trip.