[Thematic Report] No Plane No Gain (CO2)

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[Thematic Report] No Plane No Gain (CO2)
by Nitipak Ratapipat \| 20-05-2020 23:16 0
Human activities are the most significant key factor to emit greenhouse gases (GHG). With the property of GHG that are able to absorb infrared radiation and then trapping and holding heat in the atmosphere, finally they lead to global climate changes and global warming. Since 1990, the global warming resulting from greenhouse gases has increased by 43% [1] Carbon Dioxide (CO₂) is the primary gas that accounts for 81% of GHG emitted through human activities. (Figure 1) It is estimated that more than 2,000 Gigatons of CO₂ have been released by human activities. Around 67% of those CO₂ that cause global warming effect basically emit from burning fossil fuels (Oil, natural gas, and coal) and the left came from the conversion of land , mainly from forest to pastures and croplands. [3] Figure 1 : Overview of Greenhouse Gas Emissions in 2018 [2] In the US, transportation sector is considered as the largest part (28%) generating greenhouse gas to the atmosphere. (Figure 2) Since 1990, transportation sector is still a polluter that generates CO₂ and GHG to the world and EU28. (Figure 3) Figure 2 : Total U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions by Economic Sector in 2018 [4] Figure 3 : Global & EU28 : CO₂ Emissions from 1990-2018 & Greenhouse Gas (CHG) Emissions from 1990 - 2015 [5] In Europe, when we look at aviation business which is a part of transportation sector, Transport & Environment (2019) reported that Aviation remains the most carbon intensive mode of transport, as well as Europe’s fastest growing source of emissions. Since 2013, emissions from flights within Europe alone have increased 26%, and this growth is expected to continue. [6] Worldwide flights produced 915 million tons of CO₂ in 2019. That is 2.4% of global CO₂ emissions from fossil fuel use and a 32% increase over the past five years. This CO₂ emissions growth rate is 70% higher than assumed under current International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) projections. [7] To clarify the picture of the amount of CO₂emission by air travel , Suppose I am a big fan of Manchester United football team and would like to watch a live match at Old Trafford Stadium, UK. I book an economy return ticket from Bangkok, Thailand to Manchester,UK. There is no direct flight to Manchester, So I have to transit at Dubai Airport, UAE. Let's see how much CO₂ I generate for this air travel.(Figure 4) Figure 4 : CO₂emission calculation : Economy Round trip flight from Bangkok (BKK), Thailand to Manchester (MAN), UK (Transit at Dubai (DBX) , UAE) [8] The total of CO₂emissions I generate from this trip is 1.34 tons !!! , compared to a global average CO₂ emissions per person (capita) was 4.8 tons / year [9] Or I can say that CO₂ from my trip is equal to 28% of the average CO₂ annual emissions per person in Thailand (4.79 tons /capita), 11% of a person in South Korea (12.08 tons/capita) or more than someone living over a year in Philippines (1.22 tons/capita) , Pakistan (1.01 tons / capita) [9] In conclusion, we would rather stay at home, sit back and relax... Watching our favorite team playing on TV or computer. It is not only save our money, but also save the earth. References: [1] The World Meteorological Organization (2019). Greenhouse gas concentrations in atmosphere reach yet another high. https://public.wmo.int/en/media/press-release/greenhouse-gas-concentrations-atmosphere-reach-yet-another-high [2] United States Environmental Protection Agency (2018). Overview of Greenhouse Gases. https://www.epa.gov/ghgemissions/overview-greenhouse-gases [3] Global Carbon Atlas. http://www.globalcarbonatlas.org/en/outreach [4] United States Environmental Protection Agency (2018). Sources of greenhouse gas. https://www.epa.gov/ghgemissions/sources-greenhouse-gas-emissions [5] Crippa, M., Oreggioni, G., Guizzardi, D., Muntean, M., Schaaf, E., Lo Vullo, E., Solazzo, E., Monforti-Ferrario, F., Olivier, J.G.J., Vignati, E. (2019). Fossil CO2 and GHG emissions of all world countries 2019 Report. Publications Office of the European Union. https://edgar.jrc.ec.europa.eu/overview.php?v=booklet2019 [6] Transport & Environment (2019). Why ICAO and Corsia cannot deliver on climate? https://www.transportenvironment.org/sites/te/files/publications/2019_09_Corsia_assessement_final.pdf [7] Air Transport Action Group (ATAG). Facts & Figures. https://www.atag.org/facts-figures.html [8] International Civil Aviation Organization. ICAO Carbon Emissions Calculator. https://www.icao.int/environmental-protection/CarbonOffset/Pages/default.aspx [9] Ritchie, H. (2019, October 4). Where in the world do people emit the most CO₂?. On World in Data. https://ourworldindata.org/per-capita-co2

Dormant user Nitipak Ratapipat

7 Comments

Nitipak Ratapipat says :
Thank you for comments from all readers and mentor Taehyun & Sang Su.
Posted 01-06-2020 23:12

Sang Su Mentor says :
Hi Nitipak Ratapipat, this is a mentor Sang Su Lee.

Due to COVID 19, flying airplane number has decreased significantly, thereby enabling humans to save enormous amount of fuels. As the result, the CO2 emission level has also plummeted at least in the filed of aviation. However as you've mentioned in your article very well, humans' activities in general are causing serious green house gases. Temperature raise only by 3 degree Celsius would extinct so many animals. We should act to cut the amount of CO2 gases...

Green Cheers~
Posted 26-05-2020 22:33

Kushal Naharki

Kushal Naharki says :
Hello Nitipak

I do hope that you are fine and doing great with your works.
Thank you for your report about No Plane No Gain (CO2)

Green Cheers from Nepal :)
Keep writing great reports.
We are eager to read more reports from you.

Regards,
Kushal Naharki

Posted 24-05-2020 22:12

Taehyun Mentor says :
Hello Nitipak Ratapipat, this is mentor Taehyun!

Thank you for your article on the carbon footprint in relation to transportation! When I look at this, I realize that even if it's public transportation, such as airplanes, trains, and buses that I often use to travel, it emits so much carbon dioxide. I can't help it, but I think this much carbon emissions is really a burden to the global environment. It's more unfortunate that there seems to be no suitable solution yet other than to reduce the use as much as possible.

Thank you for the report!

Green cheers!
Posted 24-05-2020 03:11

Asmita Gaire says :
Greetings nitipak
I hope you are doing well
Yes, stay home and save environment as well as money. In nutshell, save ecosystem.
Thank you so much for this report
Keep writing
Green cheers
Regards
Asmita Gaire
Posted 22-05-2020 14:01

Sonika Pariyar

Sonika Pariyar says :
Hello Nitipak!

I hope you are fine and doing great!

Thanks for sharing contribution of plane on green house gas emission.
Keep on sharing!

GREEN CHEERS FROM NEPAL!

Regards,
Sonika
Posted 21-05-2020 22:36