This interactive map shows the carbon emissions for the 1,300 largest airports around the world and the total passenger flight carbon emissions by country.
Students can also view more detailed emissions data for each individual country and airport.
Teaching Tips
Positives
Students will have fun exploring this map to see the climate impact of airports near them.
Students can conceptualize the amount of carbon emissions for a country or airport using the provided equivalence comparisons to cars and coal plants.
Additional Prerequisites
This map only counts emissions from carbon dioxide and not the non-CO2 warming effects of aviation. Click here to learn more about the full climate impact of aviation.
To view an individual airport select its location on the map or use the country drop-down selector at the top of the map.
To view the map legend click the icon in the bottom left corner of the map.
Differentiation
Math students could graph the data showing emissions from the top 10 most polluting airports.
Science and engineering students could research how to scale up the use of sailboats for intercontinental travel.
Students could read this fact sheet on electric flight from Stay Grounded which debunks greenwashing techniques in the aviation industry related to electric flight.
Scientist Notes
This resource visualizes the amount of carbon dioxide released per passenger at major airports across the globe. The methodology and data were published in a peer-reviewed journal, and the data is accessible for independent verification. This resource is recommended for teaching.
Standards
Science and Engineering
ESS3: Earth and Human Activity
MS-ESS3-5 Ask questions to clarify evidence of the factors that have caused the rise in global temperatures over the past century.
Social Studies
Geography
Geography 1 (F1): Students understand the geography of the community, Maine, the United States, and various regions of the world, and geographic influences on life in the past, present, and future by using the geographic grid and a variety of types of maps, including digital sources, to locate and access relevant geographic information that reflects multiple perspectives.
Geography 1 (D3): Students understand the geography of the United States and various regions of the world and the effect of geographic influences on decisions about the present and future by describing the major regions of the Earth and their major physical, environmental, and cultural features using a variety of geographic tools, including digital tools and resources.
