carbon miles

In 1995, 6 billion people on the planet emitted 6 bn tons of carbon (C) to the atmosphere (as CO2*) by burning fossil fuel - i.e. one ton per person on average. The oceans can only absorb about 2 bn tons C annually, and trees absorb less than one ton. So to stabilise the concentration of CO2 now, we need to cut emissions by about 60%, to 0.4 ton C per person per year. In comparison:

• a return flight London-Rome-London would emit 0.22 tons C (as CO2) per passenger, i.e. 1 person's total sustainable carbon emissions budget for all purposes (including heating, cooking, lighting, local transport, etc.) for 7 months.
• London - Baghdad - London would emit 0.52 tons C, i.e. your total carbon emissions budget for 14 months
• London - Auckland - London would emit 2.16 tons C i.e. 1 person's total carbon emissions budget for 5 1/2 years

And remember: that's just the CO2: the total warming effect of CO2 + H2O + NOx is about 3 times greater.