Airlines Can Save $$Millions in Fuel—By Adding Minutes

susan — Mon, 12 May 2008 01:00:00 -0400

Sometimes all it takes is a tiny action to make a big difference. If you’ve been worrying about how much your carbon footprint grows whenever you take an airplane trip, now there’s a solution. Fly an airline that is flying a little slower. You know you get better mileage when you take your foot off the gas pedal in your car. Now the airline industry has figured out it works in planes, too.

Jet Blue is now flying a little slower, adding an average of about two minutes to each flight—and saving about $13.6 million a year in jet fuel, according to a recent report in The New York Times by the Associated Press.
Southwest Airlines projects that it will save $42 million in fuel this year by extending each flight a mere one to three minutes.
Northwest Airlines is adding four minutes to its flights to and from Hawaii – for a savings of $600,000 a year.
Northwest is also slowing down from 542 m.p.h. to 532 m.p.h. (not exactly a snail’s pace) on its flights from Paris to Minneapolis – which adds only 8 minutes (you’ll hardly notice on a flight that is close to nine hours anyway) and saves 162 gallons of fuel, over $500.

So if you don’t mind spending a few more minutes in the air, to reduce your carbon footprint, let the airlines know you think it’s a good idea. And you might ask them if this means they could cut that extra fuel surcharge they’ve started tacking on to the cost of every flight.

To find out more about reducing your carbon footprint:

Reducing Your Carbon Footprint From Travel

What Exactly is a Carbon Footprint?

The Quest for the Perfect Carbon Calculator

Carbon Footprints

Chicago! Chicago! It's a Hell of a Town

Marcus — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 00:00:00 -0500

So I spent a few days in Chicago last week and, as always, had a lovely time in the Windy City. I already knew about the greening efforts going on in Chicago, thanks to our incredibly engaging and informative RiverWired video on the subject, but I am happy to report that I encountered some more new, green additions to the city since I last visited.

I recently blogged about my friend (and fellow Northwestern graduate), Jessa Brinkmeyer, being mentioned on TreeHugger when her new clothing store, Pivot, became the first eco-boutique in Chicago. I had the opportunity to check it out this past week, and I have to say, I was struck by just how damn hip it was. Jessa’s set up quite an operation, combining cutting-edge designers and products with an environmentally conscious, responsible mindset. If you’re in town, head down to Fulton Market and check it out ASAP.

That same night, I had dinner with some friends at a place called Crust, which is the very first certified organic restaurant in the Midwest. It specializes in organic, gourmet pizzas (which are referred to on the menu as “flatbreads”), and boasts a wide selection of organic beer and wine to accompany your meal. It’s a bit pricey for the amount of food you get, but it’s a great concept, and the food is incredibly tasty, so I have to say I’d be inclined to dine there again the next time I find myself in the Chicagoland area.

I also ventured to the Chicago Green City Market, held every Wednesday and Saturday in Lincoln Park, from May through October. It’s been named one of the top ten farmer’s markets in the country by USA Today, and boasts an incredible selection of local and organically grown produce. You can continue to visit the market through November and December at its winter location inside the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum.

Finally, if you’re in Chicago on May 17^th and 18^th,2008, head over to Navy Pier and check out the Chicago Green Festival, which features green businesses, fair trade green products, and food from around the country. Should be a good time. Perhaps I’ll see you there.

Well, there you have it. Chicago is a city at the forefront of sustainability. ‘Nuff said.

eco-travel

Airlines Can Save $$Millions in Fuel—By Adding Minutes

Chicago! Chicago! It's a Hell of a Town