RANT ON:
It is only fair to compare like with like. Currently, the mass media have a hard-on about how our industry is polluting the world. From what I can establish, we are responsible for a measly 1.65% (but increasing) of the CO2 emissions in the UK where as the car is "only" responsible for 27% (also increasing). So when we compare fuel burns we must compare trip with trip, not just the mpg. Unfortunately, we haven't got the message out that shows just how efficient we really are in fuel, infrastructure and time.
In reality, if the government was really serious about our environment, they would be putting extortionate taxes on all fuels, household gas and electricity and subsidising the development of renewables and nuclear power, but Grasping Gordon is doing none of that. The seeds should be sown in peoples' imaginations that that if we are to reduce our carbon footprint we should all be walking or cycling, eating raw food and shivering in dark caves. However, they can still keep taking foreign holidays because stopping all aviation will do bugger all to reduce CO2 emissions.
RANT OFF
Regards, PM