The two popular ways to reach long distances are by trains and planes. A high-speed train that is operating under normal conditions consumes a lesser amount of energy and produces a lesser amount of CO2. The high bullet trains consume less because of their intrinsic features. The consumption of auxiliary services, including air conditioning, lighting, and ventilation, is also reduced in proportion to speed. If you are curious to know about the differences in the carbon footprint when you are travelling via train vs plane, you can go through the details given below:

The carbon footprint when travelling in bullet trains

It is without a doubt that travelling by train is the more sustainable option in comparison to travelling by air. There are several things that a traveller needs to consider before booking a train or a flight ticket. Regarding carbon dioxide emissions, high-speed trains use an electric traction system. This means that they do not emit greenhouse gases. They also contribute much less to fossil fuel consumption than air transport. Therefore, it is pretty clear that in a train’s lifetime, it will produce much lesser carbon emissions when compared to a plane.

The carbon footprint when travelling by plane

Flying is not at all good for the planet, and this is because it contributes to global warming and pollution and leaves behind a huge carbon footprint. Aeroplanes run on kerosene fuel, which, when combusted, releases a lot of carbon dioxide and other gases into the atmosphere. Indeed, aviation is not a large industry; however, it significantly impacts the climatic system.

The aviation industry is also one of the fastest-growing sources of carbon gases in the atmosphere. Aeroplanes contribute to the economy in several ways, such as tourism, imports, exports, and business. But the importance of the industry also comes with some disadvantages. These continue to impact the climate with little or nothing to do. The industry is growing in leaps and bounds, and nothing can be a better alternative to kerosene than fuel.

Travelling by air is a contentious area. The experts do agree that it is the most harmful way to travel. But there is hardly any other way to help the passengers reach their destination. One long-haul flight can emit the same amount of CO2 as the average amount that any person will talk in a year.

Bullet trains are real-estate fuel booms. They have improved the quality of life and reduced air pollution and traffic congestion. They also provided a safety valve for crowded cities, especially in developing countries. The bullet train systems connect the larger cities of China to the nearby smaller towns. These have made the second-tier cities much more attractive for the workers and have reduced traffic congestion and pollution in megacities. The trains created a new category of exurbs within 60 to 470 miles of urban centres, including Shanghai, Beijing, and Guangzhou. This has reduced the number of people moving to the already crowded megacities.