Work Travel Volunteer

This page is not going to be a preach all about how damaging air travel is to the environment and why you shouldn't fly. People use aeroplanes and will continue to do so. We do at Work Travel Volunteer. We're probably the worst culprit - having been on round the world trips.

This page aims to outline why air travel is the big baddie to the environment but how you can help minimize your impact if you choose to travel by air.

So why is air travel so bad for the environment?

Aeroplanes contribute up to 15% of the UK's carbon emissions according to Airport Watch and up to 5% globally, and they are the world's biggest contributor of greenhouse gases. Aircraft emissions are also more harmful because they occur in the upper atmosphere rather than at ground level. Aircraft emissions are also the fastest growing cause of emissions, despite increased awareness of the public about the problems. Emissions have doubled since 1990. It is this that is the real problem.

Most emissions occur during take off and landing so short haul flights, one of the fastest growing forms of travel, are also the worst. This combined with the low cost of flying short haul is a lethal combination.

To add to the problem Nitrogen oxides and water vapour (greenhouse gases) come from aircraft engines. Water vapour contributes to the formation of contrails, the tail you see behind planes that look like clouds, which in turn are linked to an increase in the formation of cirrus clouds. Both warm the Earth's surface further increasing the global warming effect of aviation.

Why do increased carbon emissions matter?

We're no expert but in a nutshell,increased carbon emissions equals increased temperature of the earth. This increase in temperature causes changes to weather patterns causing disruption to food and water supplies, spread of disease, more extreme weather such as droughts and floods and disappearing countries.

How can we decrease the impact of air travel?

Ultimately air travel needs to decrease. That's the nirvana. Unfortunately, and realistically that may not happen. Aircraft companies need to look at more efficient aeroplanes. More recently the government has announced that from November 2009 aircraft companies will be responsible for air taxes rather than passengers to encourage more efficient uses of planes. This is great news and a good step forward.

Currently aircraft companies are not required to meet the Kyoto Protocol either. If this was enforced, air travel expansion would be much slower.

If the government pushed rail travel more to short haul destinations, people would be more inclined to travel this way.

Many passengers travelling by air are on business. With internet advances, many are resorting to video conferencing as a preferable means of communication and this too should be pushed forward.

Writing to your local MP can help push the message forward that the government needs to take a stronger stand on air travel emissions, stopping new airport expansion and delivering more efficient forms of flying.

Carbon offsetting

There are some companies that offer carbon offseting schemes such as planting trees or funding sustainable energy projects. Some critics argue that this is just a get out of jail free card, so people can continue to consume without feeling guilty as long as they throw some cash to a needy project.

We think offsetting your carbon emissions is still a great idea if you have no alternative but to fly. Encouraging energy efficient schemes too is also a very positive step to contribute to.

Decrease your carbon emissions at other times too. Your overall footprint should not be based solely on your air travel. Switching off lights, using energy efficient lightbulbs, decreasing the temperature in your house by 1 degree, walkin ginstead of driving to the shop. These are all easy ways to keep your footprint small.

Choose a responsible holiday!

If you do travel by plane, choose a holidaythat has taken steps to reduce its carbon emissions. Ask to see their ethical travel policy. They should detail in there how they have done it. Try to also avoid holidays where you'll take an internal flight to a destination. Choose an organisation that transports you by other means.

Travelling by train

FAR more fun to short haul destinations. Visit the excellent Seat61 to find all the details you'll need to travel this way.

So are there any good reasons to travel by plane?

There are some destinations that just aren't easily accessible by other forms of transport, and even if they are, many people do not have the time to travel that way. Flying is ultimately much easier than having to navigate numerous buses, boats and trains.

If we didn't fly to destinations as tourists, where would that leave communities that need tourists to survive? Tourism is one of the world's largest industries and employs one in eight people globally (World Tourism Organisation)