[Thematic Report] No Plane No Gain (CO2)by Nitipak Ratapipat | 20-05-2020 23:16 |
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 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 CO2 emission 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 : CO2 emission calculation : Economy Round trip flight from Bangkok (BKK), Thailand to Manchester (MAN), UK (Transit at Dubai (DBX) , UAE) [8]
The total of CO2 emissions I generate from this trip is 1.34 tons !!! , compared to a global average CO©ü 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.
[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
[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
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