Carbon Footprint of attending the Model S Factory tour

[VolkerP]

In the meantime, I'm driving an EV, which is more than 99% of the population is doing, but I don't feel a need to get on a high horse about it. I'm not trying to shame my neighbours about what car they are driving.

+1 for that. I myself must try very hard to keep my emotions to my own, or I will not convince anybody outside the EV supporters group.

 

[drbradfo]

if you are worried about carbon footprint of air travel, check out TerraPass | Fight global warming, reduce your carbon footprint. If I was traveling solo from Portland to San Jose, it would be lower CO2 to fly then drive my Prius, but since my wife is coming along, carpooling in the Prius wins (and it wins on price too).

 

[doug]

You should probably delete your account here at teslamotorsclub.com, as the servers that host the forum do not run themselves, they rely on massive power and cooling in a data center...

Didn't someone else already calculate the cumulative electricity TEG is "wasting" on our computers with his spinning fan avatar?

 

[doug]

More jet fuel burned. Don't they have someone mSore local to cover it?

Though I'm less absolutist than TEG, and as much as I like Nikki, this is a reasonable question. John Voelcker or someone else in the US wasn't available?

 

[Doug_G]

I'm less absolutist than TEG, but this is a reasonable question. John Voelcker or someone else in the US wasn't available?

I dunno, I hate to second-guess people like that. Wouldn't it be better to say, "looking forward to meeting you, Nikki?" and be done with it?

 

[bonnie]

It wasn't personal to Nikki (looking forward to meeting you, Nikki!).

It was a bigger question & good for him for saying 'hey! elephant in the room!'. We shouldn't be afraid of these discussions. Everyone had good points. It should be an ongoing dialogue.

Just my opinion.

 

[doug]

I dunno, I hate to second-guess people like that. Wouldn't it be better to say, "looking forward to meeting you, Nikki?" and be done with it?

Sorry, I had revised my post while I guess you were composing yours. Yeah, I'm just curious and I think this is a useful discussion (as long as it's in the appropriate thread).

 

[TEG]

Well, I am glad to learn that Nikki has combined other activities with the same trip, so it is more productive than just a "come see the S beta" back and forth.

Hopefully other long distance / international travelers have multiple reasons to come out and enjoy the SF Bay Area right now.

Over the years, I can recall some people saying things like "Ugh, I have to take this stupid 2 day trip half way around the globe for a pointless meeting." When that happens I get rankled.

 

[Doug_G]

Hopefully other long distance / international travelers have multiple reasons to come out and enjoy the SF Bay Area right now.

Yep. I'm coming from eastern Canada, but I'm also meeting with one of our largest customers. This has the added benefit of letting me write off the trip. :wink:

 

[AnOutsider]

I'm coming. Sitting in my hotel room (probably room service). Renting a Hummer, driving to the event, driving back to the hotel, then flying back out on Sunday.


Don't hold me to this, but I might also crush a kitten while there.

 

[doug]

Don't hold me to this, but I might also crush a kitten while there.

"Do not worry. He is biodegradable." - The Cyclists

 

[dsm363]

http://www.michaeltennesen.com/articles/audubon_carbon_neutral.htm

From the article
"Despite its problems, travel can actually be a boon for conservation, adds Honey. "It's crucial to host communities and an important
economic activity in developing countries. Plus travel is a learning tool, as well. It gives the traveler an awareness of the world and
the environment, that you won't get from staying home watching television."

I agree. If traveling to see nature (seeing humpbacks breach for the first time) gets your interested in conservation or going to the Tesla event gets you inspired to talk your friends into getting an electric car then it's worth it. The carbon footprint argument of attending the event is a valid point to bring up but sometimes you just have to go to something to really enjoy it and everyone needs a little vacation now and then. Plus there is the pre-pre-party anyway so your trip will serve a dual purpose.

 

[vfx]

EVery one of us here is sowing seeds. If we have to use precious water to feed the planet then its a good use. Nikki serves up the most palatable offering to the most populous so she gets the biggest ration.


Or, f this did not work would you like my film popular culture "contagion" analogy better?

 

[TEG]

Renting a Hummer...I might also crush a kitten...

 

[AnOutsider]

haha, well spotted

 

[gg_got_a_tesla]

Something I heard on NPR the other day: Air Force And Navy Turn To Biofuels : NPR

Someday, maybe, the cumulative carbon footprint of an event such as Tesla's may be far better if commercial airlines bite...

 

[TEG]

Looks like TheChargingPoint's Will Dron is coming over too...
Twitter

WD here. Aboard the flight to San Francisco, then on to Tesla in Fremont to ride in the Model S. Report and gallery next week.

 

[vfx]

I'm told there will be a thousand Tesla employees at the event this weekend.

Companies have annual meetings all the time. Sometimes several per year. Kudos to Tesla for combining a customer and corporate EVent meetup.

 

[GSP]

Didn't someone else already calculate the cumulative electricity TEG is "wasting" on our computers with his spinning fan avatar?

Brilliant Doug! 5 star comment. On a 0-3 rating scale.

I "calculate" 10^9 tons of CO2 per hour! ;-)

GSP

 

[vfx]

Didn't someone else already calculate the cumulative electricity TEG is "wasting" on our computers with his spinning fan avatar?

I'm happy with the cooling breeze that wafts from my screen whenever TEG posts.