this post was submitted on 23 Nov 2024
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[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago)

A single executive flight negates all of that.

You're right however there are some mitigating factors here, I don't know if you're in America but lets use that country as an example

The United States takes the lead in the number of departures – with 3.5 million in 2023

In 2023, some 4.4 million homes were equipped with solar panels in the United States. This figure is projected to increase significantly in the next years, reaching some 16.8 million houses by 2032.

So already last year you are eliminating the co2 of jet flights entirely and in 2022:

Today, nearly 4% of single-family homes in the US generate electricity from solar panels

Just 4%!

Quite simply the number of houses that can have solar dwarfs the number of private flights taking place, literally every little bit helps.

No raindrop thinks it's part of a flood and look at how small aviation is in the big picture:

It's coal and gas power that are a far bigger contributor to the pain than private jets.

On top of that you're assuming that these private jet flights are the norm and will remain the norm forever despite the fact solar has massively disrupted the global energy supply in just 10 short years and battery prices continue to come down substantially

There are thousands of companies working towards co2 free flights

https://www.airbus.com/en/sustainability/respecting-the-planet/decarbonisation

https://www.amslaero.com/news/landmark-free-flight

But even today there is work being done on sustainable fuels:

Airbus’ most popular aircraft takes to the skies with 100% sustainable aviation fuel This A321neo is the first Airbus single-aisle aircraft to test 100% SAF on both engines

Currently, all Airbus commercial and military aircraft, as well as helicopters are capable of flying with an up to a 50% blend of SAF. The goal is to ensure 100% SAF capability by 2030 of these products. The potential to cut emissions by up to 80% compared to traditional jet fuel highlights the immense possibilities for SAF usage in the aviation sector.

https://www.airbus.com/en/newsroom/stories/2023-03-airbus-most-popular-aircraft-takes-to-the-skies-with-100-sustainable

and

Qantas is currently in negotiations with a number of offshore suppliers to source additional supplies of SAF, which is in high demand globally and which the national carrier would prefer to source domestically.

Together with Airbus, Qantas committed to invest up to US$200 million to get a local SAF industry off the ground, including equity funding for new feedstock and refining projects.

https://www.qantas.com/agencyconnect/au/en/agency-news/agency-news-november-22/sustainable-aviation-fuel-coalition.html

Finally we know that there are substantial drops in the price and increase in size of solar batteries coming through over the next few years, and if the price drops to a point where they pay themselves off over a few years, why wouldn't you? This is not just about the planet anymore, it's just good economic sense

My last electricity bill (AUD):

Decrease from an average of $200

How much my car/EV costs to run per month charging from solar:

$5 (AUD) decrease from an average of $100 worth of petrol every month

Saving money and the planet? Can't complain about that surely :P