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Humans have caused 1.5 °C of long-term global warming according to new estimates

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399 points gmays | 4 comments | 17 Nov 24 18:49 UTC | HN request time: 0.001s | source
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root_axis ◴[17 Nov 24 19:28 UTC] No.42166375[source]▶
Doesn't seem like there is any foreseeable future where climate change can be addressed. It's not just the leadership of the u.s, but the citizens themselves reject climate change as a real issue. Hopefully I'm just being pessemsitic.
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baq ◴[17 Nov 24 19:35 UTC] No.42166433[source]▶
Oh a lot of those citizens care - it’s that they travel to Japan for vacation anyway.
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autoexec ◴[17 Nov 24 20:27 UTC] No.42166908[source]▶
Let's not pretend that the family vacation is the real driver to climate change. Most Americans aren't jet-setting on a regular basis.
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moffkalast ◴[17 Nov 24 21:38 UTC] No.42167545[source]▶
Air travel is only 11% of all transport emissions, so it's not all that significant, especially given that it's often the only real option for covering vast distances.

But Americans do drive everywhere, and that's 48% of all transport emissions (just cars, not even counting trucks, with that it's more like 73% for all road transport). So yeah. Nobody gives a fuck.

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consteval ◴[18 Nov 24 02:09 UTC] No.42169107[source]▶
Americans have no choice, it's either drive or die. Your car is more important in this country than your job, ask any poor person.
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lukan ◴[18 Nov 24 05:59 UTC] No.42170085[source]▶
But most people do have a choice whether they fly around the world for vacation - or not.
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1. consteval ◴[18 Nov 24 16:25 UTC] No.42173946[source]▶
Yes, but the amount of people "flying around" is pretty small, and the cost of economy air travel is next to nothing in comparison to daily commutes by car. Keep in mind you share that plane with hundreds of people.
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2. lukan ◴[19 Nov 24 12:25 UTC] No.42182682[source]▶
It all adds up.

The impact of one billionare jetting around the world for fun alone, is pretty small as well.

But if all the billionares are doing it, it already adds up to a impressive number.

And if you choose to jet around the world for vacation - then this alone is pretty neglectible, too. But all the other people also doing it isn't.

And yes, there are more people in a plane. Just like in a train or bus. Yet they are way more efficient. Only very few people driver alone over 1000 km for vacation.

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3. consteval ◴[19 Nov 24 15:42 UTC] No.42184704[source]▶
This is true and I agree, but when it comes to solving problems, you should start with the most obvious and easy solutions first. The low-hanging fruit. The amount of transportation by plane is so incredibly small as compared to car that IMO it shouldn't be a starting point.

We should look to lowering our plastic consumption, electrifying American homes, and building transportation infrastructure so walking, biking, and public transit become more viable.

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4. lukan ◴[19 Nov 24 23:49 UTC] No.42189330{3}[source]▶
"We should look to lowering our plastic consumption, electrifying American homes, and building transportation infrastructure so walking, biking, and public transit become more viable."

Or all of it and reduce flying as well?

At least until we made serious progress in the energy sector.