Alan & Peter - very thoughtful and interesting comments about flying and the impact on the environment. We can easily get into "my solution is greener than yours" but in the end mindfulness will show us each the right way.

The elephant in the room, by the way, is industrial meat production and our addiction to meat. The meat industry releases far more emissions and pollutes air and water much worse than air and car travel. On a purely basic math level that any 3rd grader can grasp, feeding something 1.5 pounds of human edible protein, in order to get 1 pound of human edible protein, is a loser's game. Check out this report for more info; http://www.fao.org/docrep/010/a0701e/a0701e00.HTM

I live in a cooperative apartment complex in NYC that has almost 4,000 people living on a footprint that would encompass perhaps 200 people if it were in suburbia (app. 13 acres - allowing for 4 to 6 people per 1/2 acre lot). I ride my bike to work or take the subway when it rains. Yet my carbon footprint is still huge compared to someone living in third-world conditions (whether in USA or actually third world) and I am increasingly mindful of what I can do to make a difference, even if I don't always do it....

Peter, that is really unfortunate that waste is being shipped to China - wrong on so many levels. However for every story like that, there are equally inspiring stories of recycling, greywater reclamation, green roofs, and other eco-success stories. I guess all I can offer is that you do the best you can with the information you have and stay present and compassionate.