Aviation is growing at a rate matched only by the rising pressure to cut CO2 emissions. Surely something has to give. Nathan May urges a compromise
Aviation is now the fastest-growing transport mode of all. In the UK alone, passenger numbers have increased by 310 percent in 25 years, and the number of flights by 166 percent.
The Department of Transport forecasts that, by 2020, the number of passengers using the UK airports will be around 400 million, compared to 200 million today, and worldwide, passenger traffic is expected to grow by about 5 percent per annum and air freight by over 6 percent per annum. Overall, the world fleet of aircraft is expected to double by 2020.
Meeting this insatiable demand for air travel will have a massive environmental impact, especially with regards to climate change. The demand for air travel is growing rapidly. If all this growth is met without question, or without strict limits on the impacts, the effects will be devastating.
One reason why there is such fast growth is that air travel is under-priced. Unlike most other sectors of the economy, it pays virtually no tax; nor does it compensate society for the huge environmental impacts. This means that air travel competes unfairly with other sectors of the economy for resources and for the disposable income of travellers.
Pollution
Air pollution is a major issue for those who live in the vicinity of large airports. Emissions from aircraft, air-side support vehicles and airport-related traffic, all contribute to a build up of potentially harmful gases such as oxides of nitrogen, carbon monoxide, volatile organic compounds, and ozone.
The main constituent of the fuel used in aircrafts is Kerosene. In the combustion of this fuel, large amounts of vapour, carbon dioxide and carbon monoxides are created. Although the amount of sulphur emitted is reduced in the refining process, there is still some small amount that is released in the combustion process, creating sulphur oxides. Subsonic aviation currently contributes between 2-3 percent of the carbon dioxide emitted from all fossil-fuel combustion. The emissions of nitrogen oxides lead to the production of ozone in the upper troposphere.
Dr Piers Foster, from the School of Earth and Environment at the University of Leeds, made headlines around the world last year as he discovered a way of reducing the UK’s annual carbon dioxide emissions by 2.5 percent by shifting all flights to the daytime.
According to Foster, aircraft contrails contribute to the greenhouse effect as they act like clouds and help trap heat close to the earth’s surface. He discovered that they’re responsible for as much as half of the negative impact that the aviation industry has on our planet.
If flights are carried out, Foster contends, during the hours of sunlight, the contrails will not trap as much heat because they act as mirrors reflecting the heat back into space.
To fly, or not to fly
In March this year, talks began to incorporate the aviation industry in the European Union’s Emissions Scheme (EU ETS). Aviation is the fastest growing source of emissions in the UK, and it is argued that the time has come for the industry to take responsibility.
The scheme places a cap on the amount of carbon dioxide produced. Allowances of a certain level of emissions have been allocated, and there has been a call to include airline companies in this quota.
Aviation Minister, Gillian Merron, stated that he has ‘led the debate in Europe, calling for aviation to be brought into the EU Emissions Trading Scheme. Aviation plays an important role in our economy and a balance needs to be struck and maintained between environmental, economic and social considerations.’
Another route to reducing emissions has been the formation of organisations like Responsible Travel, set up with the intention of creating a forum for tourists to find and book holidays from companies that are committed to preserving the environment.
The co-founders, Justin Francis and Harold Goodwin, launched the site in 2001, with only a small collection of packages available. Today, the site offers over 2000 holidays from hundreds of companies.
In 2006, Responsible Travel began a campaign to create awareness of the amount of CO2 emissions created by the aviation industry. The company believes there is a balance between the impact of travelling and the benefits sustainable tourism can offer. If people were to stop travelling altogether, many natural and cultural attractions would be lost as the tourism often injects much-needed cash into the local economy.
Developing countries that rely on tourism from all areas of the world have been alarmed by the new suggestions that aviation is a sin.
The potential economic damage of a reduction in air travel could be catastrophic to newly formed eco-friendly holiday destinations in developing countries. After spending years convincing these parts of the world that protecting their local ecologies is important and will ultimately result in attracting more tourism, would it be right to neglect them altogether?
Porini camps – Kenya
Local Masai people have been employed to build and manage some of the tented campsites alongside the national parks. This encourages the local tribes to conserve wildlife and helps to provide them with a stable economy.
Jake Grieves Cook, the mastermind behind this project, has opened several camps and prices compare favourably to other accommodation options.
Grootbos – SA
This five star eco resort on the Western Cape has it all covered. From lecturing visitors on seaweed to training the locals to garden, the owners of this remarkable establishment are eco-warriors in every sense.
The hotel concentrates on living in harmony with the eco-system as well as stabilising the local economy by employing workers from surrounding villages.
Shinta Mani – Cambodia
This particular hotel does all it can to provide for the local economy. It was set up with the sole purpose to employ local people living in poverty. Giving twenty disadvantaged young people a solid grounding in the hospitality industry each year.
With the opportunity to sponsor a child during your stay, and take in the sights at Angkor Wat- this option offers the best of both worlds.
Zeavola – Ko Phi Phi Island – Thailand
Devastated by one of the most horrific natural disasters ever, this beautiful Thai island was forced to virtually say goodbye to visitors. This was not to be the case however, Zeavola has thrived under the circumstances. This good fortune has been passed around; for every guest that stays at the lodge, a donation is made to the repair of the local school.
Kapawi – Ecuador
Make the trip to one of the worlds most bio diverse areas left on the planet, this eco-lodge boasts an unbelievable 10,000 plant and 540 bird species.
Perhaps most importantly though, the area supported by Kapawi has profited and managed to stave off attacks from oil and logging companies intent on damaging the beautiful surroundings to access the bounty of raw materials.
Guludo Beach Lodge – Mozambique
Conventional holidaying, this is not. The owners of this beach lodge have installed the virtues of fair trade anywhere possible, and have benefited from incorporating the local economy.
Tiamo – Bahamas
This tiny eco resort makes sure absolutely no pollution is created. Running solely from solar, filtering water and creating organic compost. This hotel misses out on some home comforts like TV and air-conditioning, but makes up for it in eco-friendly satisfaction.
How to holiday without hurting the environment
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Best booking Pass on those glossy brochures at your local travel agent- for every 10,000 brochures printed, 14 mature trees are felled.
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The right direction As the majority of emissions are created during take off and landing, it is important to try to find alternative transport for short flights. And look out for direct flights where possible.
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Home alone Don’t leave home without cancelling deliveries and unplugging electrical appliances.
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Travel light Every last gram of weight has an impact on the fuel consumption of any form of transport, so it is very important to take only what you need.
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The young ones When travelling with young children, disposable nappies are a must. But be sure to pick a brand that are biodegradable so the environment is not adversely affected.
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Dream destination Be sure to respect the environment during your stay by conserving water, turning off the air conditioning and lights when they aren’t needed, and let the housekeeper take a break by re-using your towels.
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Sunning yourself Make sure you choose sun cream carefully, always try and buy natural and organic products. Some mass produced options can actually be poisonous to the skin.
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Take a break Avoid driving a car on your holiday- why not rent a bike and enjoy the sights. It is also a great way to meet the locals.
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Recycling remains It takes a plastic bottle 450 years to break down in a beach environment. Take your recycling habits on tour with you.
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Local culture Invest your holiday cash in local produce, it will help the local economy to remain stable. Think about the food miles before odering you home favourites.
