It has never been easier to fly. Internet-based services and third-party affiliates like Travelocity.com and Cheap Tickets.com now offer plane tickets at all-time lows, conveniently purchased •with a simple click of the mouse. It is possible to find flights online between European cities for less than the equivalent of $20, and web-based carriers in the U.S. offer tickets from coast to coast starting at $99 and between regional cities for as little as $39. While these fares may seem like a dream come true for low-budget travelers, the resulting surge in air traffic carries with it major environmental costs. Even with the more fuel-efficient technology that has evolved over the last 30 years, air travel remains a significant contributor to climate change. Currently, 600 million tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) are pumped into the atmosphere each year from commercial jets alone, while the number of planes in the air climbs steadily higher.
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