Transportation CO2 emissions make up a tiny fraction of total greenhouse gases. Water vapour is by FAR the biggest greenhouse gas. I wonder if a 787 burns more hydrocarbons flying 250 people from NY to LA than 250 cars driving that distance? Roughly ~9000gal (2500mi 787 @ cruise) is 36gal per car. Assuming everyone gets perfect highway mileage even if they're Prius it wont get them the whole way (50MPG*36gal=1800mi). And that's not considering the energy required to build and maintain 250 Prius cars vs. the cost of one 787. The retail cost alone for 250 Prius is nearly $90M. A 787 is more like $250M, but lasts a least 3x longer than a car.
Transportation has improved since the 1960 by a HUGE amount. Modern cars, trains, and airplanes are significantly better (safer, cheaper, more efficient) than those in the 1960s. I'm curious how much travelling you did in the 1960s compared to today?
Transportation CO2 emissions make up a tiny fraction of total greenhouse gases. Water vapour is by FAR the biggest greenhouse gas.
Water vapor is the largest greenhouse gas, but it's a relatively constant contribution; it's not part of anthropogenic contributions to greenhouse gases (which is usually what people are referring to in this sort of context).
Good point. I'm not trying to start an off-topic climate change debate, just trying to step back and look at the problem a little more broadly, but there's at least one big error in my calcs as has been pointed out.
Transportation has improved since the 1960 by a HUGE amount. Modern cars, trains, and airplanes are significantly better (safer, cheaper, more efficient) than those in the 1960s. I'm curious how much travelling you did in the 1960s compared to today?