Canadians’ per capita emissions of CO2 are the third-highest in the world. Each of us emits an average of 21.9 t of the stuff per year, both directly through household energy and transportation (about 40% of the total) and indirectly by consuming products and services. The average European emits half as much as us, the average Maldivian only 2% as much.
A return flight from Vancouver to Quebec City thus emits as much CO2 equivalent as 5 Maldivians during an entire year
Although aviation is a relatively small industry, it has a
disproportionately large impact on the climate system. It presently
accounts for 4 - 9 % of the total climate change impact of human activity.
Since 1990, CO2 emissions from international
aviation have increased 83%.
A short-haul flight will emit about three times the CO2 per passenger of a train
