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Planes, Boats, Cars or Trains: What's the most efficient way to travel?
Ed Carter
Planes, Boats, Cars or Trains: What's the most efficient way to travel?: Text
Thinking of doing a gap year, but concerned about the environment? Not sure of the most environmentally friendly way to travel? Not all of us can travel in a zero-emissions yacht like Greta Thunberg, but you can still make conscious decisions and choose low-emitting forms of travel.
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Here we compare the emissions produced by cars, aeroplanes, trains, and boats, so that you can make the right travel choice.
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By sea
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Our first travel option is boat. Firstly, we have to clarify that cruise shops and ferries are completely different. Cruise ships are mainly used for long trips, while ferries only cover shorter trips. Overall, ferries tend to be more environmentally-friendly compared to cruise ships. Cruise ships may have more passengers to share these emissions, but the waste disposal, air pollution, sulphur oxide, and power required for the on-board facilities suggests that cruise ships emit the same as aeroplanes. A study by the campaign group, Transport & Environment, also reported that the cruise liner company, Carnival Corporation, emitted 10 times more sulphur dioxide than all the cars in Europe.
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Planes, Boats, Cars or Trains: What's the most efficient way to travel?: Text
Planes, Boats, Cars or Trains: What's the most efficient way to travel?: Image
By air
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Our second, and most commonly used vehicle for holidays is the aeroplane. Flights produce vast amounts of both greenhouse gases and non-greenhouse gases, including carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxide respectively, which contribute to the greenhouse effect and global warming. Unlike cars, trains and boats, releasing nitrogen oxide production up in the atmosphere causes a prolonged warming effect and increased greenhouse effect.
Planes, Boats, Cars or Trains: What's the most efficient way to travel?: Text
Planes, Boats, Cars or Trains: What's the most efficient way to travel?: Image
By land
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Perhaps surprisingly, cars and coaches aren’t the worst option. Compared to planes and boats, diesel and petrol cars are the better option when travelling in groups of 4-8. Car journeys can be fun and exciting especially with friends while travelling and they’re a lot better for the environment than hopping on a plane. Electric cars are by far the most efficient way to travel as they do not produce any greenhouse gases, so don’t contribute to the greenhouse effect. However, it is highly unlikely you will use an electric car while travelling on your gap year but if you’re lucky enough to be best buds with Elon Musk, the electric car is definitely the way to go!
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If you want to go that extra mile for the environment, jumping on a coach is even more beneficial. It can also be cheaper as well as being more sociable as you are able to meet new people and share experiences with those who are potentially doing the same trip. Not only can you share your ideas, but you can exchange local knowledge and find out about new places to travel.
Planes, Boats, Cars or Trains: What's the most efficient way to travel?: Text
Planes, Boats, Cars or Trains: What's the most efficient way to travel?: Image
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By Rail
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Diesel trains produce less carbon dioxide than planes, and electric trains produce 20-30% less carbon dioxide than diesel trains. But trains can differ dramatically and how they source their electricity can vary. Countries like France, Costa Rica and Switzerland use renewable energy to power their trains, whereas other countries, like Poland, China and Vietnam mainly use coal. Therefore, the trains in France, Costa Rica and Switzerland are more sustainable and have lower overall carbon emissions. Nevertheless, trains are more environmentally-friendly compared to planes. So, if there are trains available to your destination, take the train.
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The verdict
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Trains are the most efficient forms of travel as they emit the least per person. Like cars and coaches, they are cheaper than flights and ferries, along with being more sociable so you can get the most out of your trip. So, if you are able to travel by train to your destination then do so!
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Planes, Boats, Cars or Trains: What's the most efficient way to travel?: Text
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