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People flying in the face of green concerns

7.11.2008 (Travel Mole)

[The YouGov survey is not yet available to the public, so the details of the questions and answers are unknown. Total sample size was 2023 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 29th August - 1st September 2008. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all GB adults (aged 18+)."]

Concerns over aviation’s affect on the environment is doing little to discourage people from flying, a new study shows.

While green issues, such as climate change, noise and air pollution, worry almost three quarters of people (74%), only 22% admitted that these concerns had affected the number of flights they take.

More than half (54%) of the 2,023 adults questioned were unconcerned by the proposed third runway expansion at Heathrow and other UK airports.

In fact, 41% felt that more capacity was required to meet flight demands, [so 59% did not??] according to the research conducted by YouGov on behalf of Camcon Technology, the UK developer of the digital valve.

For the 46% of adults that remained more apprehensive about airport development plans, key causes for concern are:

*Noise pollution (67%)

*Climate change (65%)

*Air quality (60%)

*House prices in the surrounding area (30%)

While the research revealed people’s hesitance to reduce their air travel, the majority of those surveyed were more than happy to embrace technology designed to make aircraft more environmentally friendly.

Of those concerned about airport expansion plans, more than three quarters (77%) would feel more comfortable if they knew that airlines and air manufacturers were investing money into the development of environmentally friendly aircraft that burn less fuel and produce less noise.

Camcon CEO Danny Chapchal said: “The majority of the UK population is evidently concerned about the environment but, rather than altering their travelling habits, people expect airline operators and aircraft manufacturers to reduce aviation’s environmental impact.

“To protect the environment, the aviation industry needs to examine the technologies that are now available to reduce carbon emissions and help decrease the noise from engine jets, fans and landing gear.

“With European Union regulations placing pressure on airlines to cut emissions by 3% in 2012 and airport expansions set to be rolled out across the UK, it’s time that a new generation of quieter and more environmentally friendly planes was developed.”

by Phil Davies

http://www.travelmole.com/stories/1132749.php

see also

from Make Wealth History

I demand action on aviation emissions (from someone else)

British air travellers are worried about climate change, according to recent research - but not enough to actually stop flying. 74% of respondents to a Yougov poll said they were concerned about climate change and air and noise pollution, but only 22% said they would fly less as a result.

Flight numbers bear this out. Virgin Atlantic reported a 7.6% increase in passenger numbers of the summer, and Easyjet continues to report growth. Airlines that have gone bankrupt have done so from high fuel prices rather than falling ticket sales. As demand continues to rise, airports need to expand, and in October the government gave the green light to extra capacity at Stansted, something that sent climate change campaigners into apoplexy. “Allowing 10 million more people to fly from Stansted each year shows the Government’s climate change strategy is a complete shambles” said Friends of the Earth’s Transport Campaigner Tony Bosworth.

Unfortunately, passengers are less concerned. 54% were not worried by the proposed third runway at Heathrow, or other airport expansions. 41% believe that more capacity is required.

So how do we reconcile these two opposing beliefs to ourselves - that climate change is real and requires action, and that no change of behaviour is required from either us or the airports? The simple answer is that we have put our faith in technology. 77% of respondents in the survey said they would feel better about flying if the airlines were investing in greener fuels and planes. “The majority of the UK population is evidently concerned about the environment,” said Danny Chaphal, CEO of Camcon, who commissioned the Yougov poll. “Rather than altering their travelling habits, people expect airline operators and aircraft manufacturers to reduce aviation’s environmental impact.”

This will be music to the ears of Camcon, who are working on quieter jet engines. To environmentalists, it is eivdence that the message hasn’t got through. Even if a genuinely environmentally neutral plane were invented tomorrow, it will be decades before planes in current use are due to be retired. It is simply impossible to deliver environmentally friendly aviation, not in any kind of scale to be significant. If we are concerned about climate change, we need to fly less, and question whether we need to fly at all.

Picture shows a detail of Chris Jordan’s representation of US air travel, part of his ‘Running the numbers’ project.

http://makewealthhistory.org/2008/11/07/i-demand-action-on-aviation-emissions-from-someone-else/

the YouGov poll is only available by subscription

(7th November 2008)

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