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World Service,1 min

How climate change affects transatlantic flights

Science In Action

Available for over a year

Thousands of planes are crisscrossing over our heads at any given time, causing around two percent of global carbon dioxide emissions and contributing to climate change. New research shows that this is causing a feedback loop. Warming temperatures in the upper atmosphere speed up the Jetstream, leaving westbound flights to battle stronger headwinds. Dr Paul Williams has calculated that this will cause planes on transatlantic routes to spend an extra 2,000 hours in the air, using up $20 million worth of extra fuel and increasing emissions even further. (Image caption: Infographic showing the affect of climate change on transatlantic flights © University of Reading)

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