What Effect Does Air Travel For Our Politicians Have On the Global Climate?

Typical behavior of the holier-than-thou GW alarmist. Do as I say, not as I do. If GW is such a huge problem, you would think the alarmists would be taking drastic action including eliminating private jets, limos, SUV's, etc. while on the campaign trail. Judging by their actions, GW must not be a problem. Or worse, they expect peons like us to make all of the sacrifices necessary to "save the planet" while they continue to fly in private jets, live in huge mansions, and continue their opulent lifestyle with a gigantic carbon footprint.

To reverse the effects of global warming currently is beyond our capabilities. Although switching to hydrogen/electric cars will greatly reduce outputs of greenhouse gases, there are many other sources that cannot be replaced with our current technology level. One example of this is electric power generation. The best solution to this is fusion power, which unfortunately is proving to be quite elusive. Fission power is an alternative, however, there are waste problems associated with it. Other forms of alternative energy promise hope, but they do not provide near the amount of power that we currently use and definately do not provide enough if electric cars replace internal combustion. Other forms of emissions that often go overlooked are from the refinement of oil. Even if all oil consumption from cars is eliminated, there are still large amounts required for such items as plastics and acetylene. How serious is the problem? When I was growing up, there were commercials on TV showing an American Indian crying because we were destroying the environment. 30+ years later, very little has changed for the positive, much for the negative. We are destroying the only place we have to live at an accelerating rate. If that doesn't put the problem into perspective, then probably nothing will. What should we do to get the word out? Tough question with no easy answer. If there was an easy answer, it would have already been done. If you feel this is a serious issue, which it surely is, then do the one thing that the upcoming 4th of July holiday has given you...write your elected representatives and let them know how you feel, about this and all subjects that concern you. During elections, vote for the people that stand for what you believe in, and if you feel no one does that then become politically active and run for office yourself. One person can make a difference and if no one does before long, then it won't matter because we will have gone the way of the dinosaur.

All air travel accounts for about 1.6% of human greenhouse gas emissions

http://cait.wri.org/figures.php?page=World-FlowCha...

However, greenhouse gases emitted by airplanes have a factor of 2.7 greater effect on global warming than emissions from ground sources, so it's more like 4%. Still, it's not a very large contributor.

Certainly like everyone else, politicians should try to do what they can to minimize their effect on global warming. However, politicians often need to travel in order to meet with other government leaders, etc.

Honestly, politicians cause more global warming by blowing hot air than they do by traveling in an airplane.

Do you drive to work ,or the store ,or to the bar? If ALL the politicians stopped using fossil fuels, global warming would still continue !

They do. Really, they're mostly doing it for the popular support of the people. It makes the people think that they "care"