How to use the carbon emissions estimate you see when booking flights

illuminem summarizes for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on the Washington Post or enjoy below:

🗞️ Driving the news: Google Flights and other booking platforms now provide estimated carbon emissions for each flight itinerary, offering a new factor for eco-conscious travelers to consider
• This feature, based on the Travel Impact Model (TIM), aims to help consumers make more environmentally friendly choices by comparing the carbon impact of different flight options

🔭 The context: The TIM calculates emissions estimates by considering factors such as flight schedules, airplane models, and passenger load 
• This initiative represents a significant step in making environmental impacts more transparent in the travel industry, allowing travelers to potentially reduce their carbon footprint by opting for greener flights

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: By choosing less polluting flights, customers can, on average, reduce their flight emissions by about 20% 
• This consumer-driven demand for greener options can encourage airlines to adopt more fuel-efficient practices, contributing to broader efforts to combat climate change

⏭️ What's next: Travelers are encouraged to weigh the carbon cost of flights alongside factors like price and convenience 
• By considering the social cost of carbon, estimated at about $190 per metric ton, consumers can integrate climate impact into their travel decisions, potentially leading to a shift towards more sustainable aviation practices

📈 One stat: Choosing the least polluting flight could save about 25% in emissions for a trip from Los Angeles to New York, illustrating the significant potential for individual choices to impact carbon footprints

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