Planes, trains, and automobiles: which cause the most pollution?

The human being is in continuous movement. But this global increase of transport has effects on the environment. And it is important to know what pollutes more: planes, boats, trains, cars, motorcycles...? Let's look at the data.

If we calculate pollution per passenger, flying is the means of transport pollutes the most. According to the European Environment Agency, a plane emits 258 grams of CO2 per passenger. Imagine what this amounts to, considering that millions of people fly around the planet every day.

Cruise ships are also among the highly polluting means of transport: around 245 grams of CO2 per kilometre travelled.

Similarly, large cargo ships pollute more or less the same as a cruise ship.

And then there's the massive pollution from motor vehicles that rely on fossil fuels.

The transport of goods by road is very bad for the environment. It is most environmentally friendly to consume local products, for the simple reason that they do not have to be transported. The CO2 a truck emits depends on the load, mileage, and model of the truck, but in any case, it would be around 158 grams of CO2 per kilometre.

It depends a lot on the model. One sure fact: a car over 20 years old pollutes as much as 36 cars of a new model.

According to the European Environment Agency, cars emit 104 grams of CO2 into the atmosphere per passenger per kilometre.

A motorcycle emits 72 grams of CO2 per passenger per kilometre.

The bus pollutes (on average) 68 grams of CO2 per passenger per kilometre. Since it is a shared means of transport and with capacity for many passengers, it is more ecological than a van or a car.

The train emits only 14 grams of CO2 per passenger per kilometre. It is a sustainable means of transport.

It is true that electric scooters or autopeds don't release CO2 into the atmosphere. However, their environmental footprint adds up in terms of the energy and pollution involved in their mass production. Due to vandalism and deterioration, these steps last relatively little time. They have to be mass-produced, which increases their ecological impact.

A good alternative is the bicycle. It's a means of transport free of CO2 emissions, and they tend to last longer than electronic autopeds.

The best means of transport is the most primitive one: your legs. To spare the planet, walk whenever you can. If the journey is too long, take the bike. If that isn't fast enough, take the train. And when a car is your only option? Try to share rides as much as possible.