United Airlines can show off their compostable plates and quinoa wraps, but they can’t hide the dirty truth of a dirty energy industry. In USA Today, travel writer Dawn Gilbertson gushed about United’s demonstration “Flight for the Planet”—a one-off PR move showing off what the company called “the most eco-friendly commercial flight of its kind…
LAX’s poorest neighbors got no soundproofing—while richer neighborhoods got millions
Aviation noise pollution is one of the most immediate environmental health issues for airport-impacted communities. And divides around race and class make things even worse. Los Angeles Times data reporter Doug Smith dug into a complex story about residents of the most airport-impacted neighborhood of Inglewood, where residents are exposed to up to 90 decibels…
Why would Boeing wants the EPA to set emission limits on planes?
The Environmental Protection Agency announced that it would release the first American aviation carbon emissions standards in September 2019. This is in response to a 2016 ruling by the EPA that (surprise!) aviation is responsible for greenhouse gases. According to the EPA, they’re likely to adopt “standards that would be at least as stringent as…
Study: Every passenger on a round-trip transatlantic flight kills 30 square feet of Arctic sea ice
Does your plane flight really have an impact on the climate? A 2016 Science paper by Dirk Notz and Julienne Stroeve estimates the relationship between greenhouse gases and Arctic sea ice loss, and it’s not pretty. According to Notz and Stroeve: Arctic sea ice is retreating rapidly, raising prospects of a future ice-free Arctic Ocean…
Aviation + climate conference in Barcelona, July 12–14, 2019
The Stay Grounded Network is organizing an international “Degrowth of Aviation” conference in Barcelona this July. While the conference is being held in Barcelona, it’s intended to be a flight-free conference, and several sessions will be held in English, and accessible to online participants. Registration is now open. Stay Grounded is an international network of…
Supersonic flights are twice as polluting—even with “green” fuel
Despite aviation industry hype about a new wave of supersonic planes, they’re still likely to be much more fuel inefficient than conventionally-polluting planes. New research from the ICCT shows exactly how bad it might be. The International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT) estimates that a supersonic flight from New York to London might have between…
The aviation and climate debate, explained in 60 seconds
The Tyndall Center developed this short explainer video breaking down aviation emissions regulations, why technology fixes can’t solve the problem, and why can’t solve the problem without addressing demand. via Aviation Impact Reform
Philippines bans flying…to climate conferences
I’m all for institutions getting in the habit of limiting unnecessary air travel. But too often, that turns into critiquing flying—but only when climate activists do it. There’s something twisted about the Philippines’ Department of Foreign Affairs new ban on employees flying to climate conferences. When asked for clarification, Foreign Secretary Teodoro “Teddyboy” Locsin Jr. explained…
Rick Steves tries to atone for his climate sins
I was inspired by Rick Steves’ book-length manifesto Travel As a Political Act. And yet, sometimes good intentions aren’t good enough. Like when your entire business is centered on glamorizing a climate-destructive activity. So what does an “ethical” traveler do? Buy offsets. Steves is now donating $30 per person he induces to travel with him…