Taking a greener holiday was among today’s carbon-diet advice in a two-day feature run by the Times. UK holiday makers have increased carbon emissions by 85 per cent since 1990 by flying abroad. Taking a cheap flight to Europe is deemed a carbon sin compared with the same journey made on emission-friendly trains. Flights from London to Paris or Brussels generate ten times more carbon dioxide emissions than taking the train, according to independent research for Eurostar.
The Times’ advice is to start cutting down on carbon calories by taking less flights. Limiting ourselves to one carbon-fat long-haul holiday every other year is one suggestion, exploring Britain by train or car is another. Perhaps they have missed the point when they suggest doing New York shopping online. But if you must fly we can do our bit by what they call “carbon offsetting” - a scheme by which concerned consumers can cancel out their impact on climate change by paying towards energy-saving projects in developing countries. We can donate towards installing wind turbines or rooftop solar panels when we book our airtickets. Check out British Airways’ scheme on their website.
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