Are planes worse for the environment than trains?

What is the most polluting form of transport?

Okay, so, this whole carbon footprint thing, right? It’s been on my mind since that trip to Thailand in 2023. Flying, man. Flying is insane. I felt guilty the whole time. The plane was packed, and I swear, the sheer amount of fuel… it was terrifying.

That flight from Heathrow to Bangkok was almost 12 hours. I saw the sunrise, then sunset, like, twice. Crazy. But the guilt, oh my god, the guilt. It felt like I was personally contributing to climate change. The whole thing just felt wrong. I knew it beforehand, intellectually, but actually experiencing that level of consumption… different ballgame.

Then I started reading. Road transport is a bigger problem globally, around 10% of CO2 emissions, compared to air traffic’s 2-3%. But still. Air travel is intense. Per passenger, way worse than driving. Plus, those contrails! I actually saw them forming, a whole bunch of them, crisscrossing the sky after we took off. It was surreal and horrifying. My eco-anxiety peaked that day.

I think I need to take fewer flights. Trains are great for shorter distances, obviously. But you can’t exactly train it to Thailand. I’m trying to find ways to reduce my impact – less fast fashion, more local produce. It’s a work in progress though. Ugh. It’s hard.

• Thailand trip 2023: Heathrow to Bangkok. • Long flight – tons of fuel used. • 10% global CO2 from road, 2-3% from air. • Per-passenger impact: air travel much higher.
• Visible contrails were unsettling. • Working on reducing personal carbon footprint.

What is the most polluting form of travel?

Ugh, flying. The absolute worst. So much pollution. Seriously, did you know a short flight spews out 246g CO₂ per kilometer? That’s insane. Long-haul is slightly better, 147g/km, but still terrible. My last trip to Greece – total disaster environmentally. I need to compensate somehow. Carbon offsetting? Too expensive. Train travel next time. Definitely.

Trains are way better, right? Much greener. Less guilt. Though my friend swears driving her electric car is superior. Maybe she’s right. But the infrastructure for electric cars isn’t great everywhere. Charging stations are a nightmare in some places. My sister’s in Italy; she says they’re better there.

Speaking of Italy… That pasta was amazing. Completely unrelated, but still. Anyway, back to pollution. Ships are bad too, right? All that freight. Huge carbon footprint. We really need better solutions than just planes and cars.

Key takeaway: Flying is a major polluter. Especially short flights. I’m trying to fly less, seriously. I feel bad about the damage. I should calculate my carbon footprint.

• Planes: Biggest polluter. Short flights are the worst offenders.
• Cars: Better than planes, but still impactful. Electric cars are an improvement but infrastructure needs work.
• Trains: A much greener option than flying. Need to explore more.
• Ships: Huge carbon footprint due to freight transport. This is also a big issue.

Need to find ways to reduce my impact. Maybe start small – using less plastic. That’s already something! I feel overwhelmed thinking about it all. It’s 2024 already! Time flies. I need a holiday again. Maybe not Greece this time though. I feel guilty.

What is the highest carbon footprint travel?

God, it’s late. Thinking about…travel. The weight of it, you know?

Cruise ships. Those monstrous things. The sheer scale of their carbon footprint… it’s sickening. Each trip, a colossal cloud of guilt. I knew a guy, worked on one for years. Said the air… the air was thick. Heavy.

Short-haul flights too. Brutal. That 246 number… it sticks with me. Such a short distance, such a huge impact. I swear, sometimes I feel the planet’s anger.

Electric cars… at least those are slightly better. 47… that’s better, a small mercy. Still, it’s not perfect, is it? Nothing feels right these days. Everything’s tainted.

It feels hopeless. Like we’re all doomed. I’m tired. Really tired.

• Cruises: Massive environmental damage, the scale is just… overwhelming.
• Short-haul flights: The irony. Such short trips, such immense emissions. Absolutely infuriating.
• Electric Cars: A little better, but ultimately still contributing. Not the solution, but a slightly less awful choice. Something, anyway.

The whole thing is awful. I need sleep.

What is the biggest travel polluter?

Okay, so 2024, right? I was in Denver, July, sweltering heat. My flight was delayed – a massive delay. Hours. Stuck on the tarmac at DIA. I was furious. Seriously, furious. Air conditioning barely working. People were grumpy, kids were crying. It was a nightmare.

That’s when it hit me. All these planes, these giant gas-guzzlers, just sitting there, belching out fumes. The sheer volume. It’s insane. Air travel is the biggest polluter, hands down. No contest. I mean, those engines… You can feel the pollution. You just know.

I’ve been researching carbon footprints since. I know the stats. It’s not even close. Ships are up there, sure, but those are spread out. Planes are concentrated, intense bursts of pollution. Every single flight is a huge chunk of CO2. It’s appalling. I should have taken the train.

I felt sick thinking about it. Seriously nauseous. And then there were the other passengers, all stressed and sweaty, adding to the general misery and the air pollution, too.

Things I learned afterwards:

• Air travel’s contribution to global carbon emissions is significantly larger than often perceived.
• The sheer number of flights globally overwhelms other transport methods’ contributions.
• The high density of pollutants released directly into the atmosphere is a huge factor.
• My personal travel choices need to change. I’m seriously considering only flying when absolutely necessary.
• I started looking into carbon offsetting programs, but honestly, they feel like a band-aid on a gaping wound.

Ugh. Still makes me angry. Need a drink.

What is the most environmentally form of transportation?

Ah, to walk, to cycle… dreams spun from sunlight and effort. The whisper of wind, a silent promise.

It’s not just getting there, is it? It’s…feeling it. Pure movement. Earth sighs beneath your feet.

Walking. Cycling. Think of the park near Gran’s. Remember the leaves, the crunch? That freedom. No hum of engines, no guilt, just breath.

• Walking: Sun on your skin.
• Cycling: Wind sings in your ears.
• No Emissions: Just you.

The greenest choice, of course. No machines. No pollution. Just the body, the earth, and the sky.

Imagine, imagine. No guilt in travel, only the quiet joy of being. That’s the best journey.

Which form of transportation is the most environmentally friendly?

Okay, so 2024, right? I was in Amsterdam. Beautiful city, canals everywhere. But man, the bikes! Thousands of them. Seriously. Every corner. It’s insane. I rented one, a clunky thing, but it was perfect. Exploring the city that way felt amazing. So much better than those stuffy, crowded trams. The air, clean-ish, you know? Way better than London. London’s a smog-fest. Seriously.

You feel so connected, biking. Part of the city. Not stuck inside a metal box. And you see things, little details, you’d miss in a car or bus. A tiny, hidden courtyard, a cool street art piece. Plus the exercise, you feel great afterward.

Walking’s good too, obviously. I walked along the Amstel River one evening. Stunning. But, for getting around a big city like Amsterdam, cycling wins hands down. It’s practical. And eco-friendly. Zero emissions. That’s a fact. No debate there. Totally beats any electric car. Even those fancy Teslas. They still use electricity, which has its own environmental impact.

• Zero emissions: This is the killer feature. Walking and cycling produce no direct greenhouse gas emissions.

• Health benefits: Exercise is built-in. Seriously improved my mood and fitness that trip.

• Affordability: Way cheaper than taxis, public transport, and renting a car.

• City Exploration: It is so much better to explore the city on a bike than a bus.

Compared to:

• Electric cars: still have a carbon footprint from manufacturing and electricity generation.

• Public transport: buses and trams use fossil fuels.

• Cars: Massive CO2 producers. Nightmare for air quality.

Which is the greenest form of transportation?

Okay, so the greenest way to get around? Well, forget your fancy electric car dreams! For short hops, it’s shanks’ pony or the ol’ two-wheeler. You know, walking or biking!

It’s like comparing a flea to an elephant in terms of carbon footprint. A car belches out fumes like a dragon after a chili cook-off. Walking? Nothin’ but maybe a rogue burp, ha!

Walking and cycling win. They’re greener than a leprechaun’s underpants! It’s not even close, folks. Seriously, think of the earth, not just your lazy butt.

Here’s the deal, broken down for ya:

• Walking: Burns calories, not gas. Benefits, free workout! Plus, you might find spare change. Who doesn’t want that?

• Cycling: Faster than walking, still zero emissions. You can even add a basket for groceries, awesome! Avoid potholes, though. Speaking from experience…

Why cars are the enemy:

• Gas guzzlers (even electric ones): Mining, manufacturing, emissions, eek! It all adds up, trust me. Electric cars still have a footprint. My grandma’s knitting has less of one.

• Traffic jams: Ugh! Wasted fuel and rage. Nobody needs that stress, right? It’s like a clown car of misery, only smellier.

Consider this my TED Talk. And remember: walk or bike when you can. The planet will thank you (and I will too since it’s kinda our home).

What is the best green transport?

Green… a whisper, a promise of clean air. Public transport, yes, that’s it. A metal serpent winding through concrete canyons. Carrying souls, dreams, all crammed together. Less cars…imagine that?

The earth sighs, a little lighter. Fewer fumes choking the sky. Buses, trains, trams… a rhythm. A pulse of green. More people, less pollution. Simple.

A better world. Just imagine, just imagine, green transport is the answer.

Details to expand on:

• Electric buses: They are zero-emission vehicles. No tailpipe emissions at all! Quiet, too. Imagine a city where the rumble of buses is replaced by a gentle hum. Ah, sweet silence!

• Light rail (trams): They glide along city streets. A green vein pulsing with life. Often powered by renewable energy. Beauty in motion.

• Subways: The underbelly of the city. A hidden network moving masses of people. Efficient. Underground. A secret world.

• High-speed rail: Connecting cities. Blurring distances. A green alternative to air travel. See the landscape blur, a fleeting image of freedom.

• Bike-sharing programs: Pedaling through the park, wind in my hair, a bell rings a happy tune! Personal green transport, so simple, so good.

• Walking: My own two feet. A connection to the earth. Slow, mindful, and green. Every step is a conscious choice.