What is the real truth about air travel?

For many years, the issue of air travel and its associated problems has been
widely debated, with some saying that it poses a real threat to our planet, while
others discount these beliefs as groundless. In this article I hope to explore this
issue.
First, I will explore the arguments of those who campaign against air travel. Their
main concern is that air travel contributes to global warming. It would be logical
to assume that air travel has a negative effect on climate change, as it is the
most quickly growing source of greenhouse gases (emitted by humans), which
trap heat in the atmosphere, and heat up the surface of the earth. It also
appears that this problem will only get worse, as air traffic levels are expected to
continue rising, and the number of passengers who choose to travel by air is
expected to almost double. In addition, aeroplanes also cause noise pollution
near airports, and emit pollutants during take-off which negatively affect the
local environment. Campaigners also argue that as many passengers fly for
business-related purposes, they could instead contact clients by other means,
and need not travel so often. Finally, over shorter distances, other forms of
transport emit far less pollution.
I now hope to explore the arguments of those who believe that air travel is in fact
a necessary industry, which is not as damaging as some make out. Firstly, they
argue that air travel is not the main cause of global warming, as the volume of
pollution the industry emits is very small in comparison to the total volume
emitted every year. Other, much larger contributing factors, such as the
excessive wastage of electricity throughout Britain in many buildings, could be
more successfully targeted. As people use electricity more liberally, especially in
businesses, the demand is increased, which results in the burning of more fossil
fuels, increasing global warming. It is arguable that the airline industry is only
targeted because it is an easily observable contributing factor, when other, less
visible factors contribute on a much larger scale. Furthermore, as technology has
advanced, airlines have taken steps to cut emissions and this will likely continue
into the future. Air travel is the most efficient form of transport over long
distances, and also the least polluting. Air travel is also important on another
level, as it brings tourists from all over the world to different countries whose
economies rely largely upon tourism as a primary income source. Air travel is
therefore important for these countries as a means of income. Finally, it is also
much cheaper and more accessible in that regard compared to other forms of
transport such as the train.
Finally, I will explain my own opinion. I personally believe that the total volume of
pollution emitted by aeroplanes each year is not a cause for concern as it is
miniscule to the point of insignificance. As previously stated, significant
reductions could be achieved to a much greater effect in other sectors of
industry. In addition, I believe that it is not morally acceptable to condemn
people travelling by air, as the collective advantages to the human race as a
whole offered by flying far outweigh any negative side effects. I expect that
many of the campaigners would themselves feel limited if air travel was no
longer an option. Air travel is also important for economic reasons, as business
meeting cannot always been successfully conducted over the telephone, and
being able to meet someone face to face in another country is certainly

preferable to any other means of communication. The economies of most

countries would be badly affected by a restrictions in air travel, which would not
be morally acceptable. Furthermore the lives of ordinary holidaymakers would be
drastically and quite unfairly be affected by banning air travel. Nonetheless, I
agree that some reductions (to a limited extent) would be not only achievable,
but beneficial, as they would reduce the noise pollution suffered by nearby
houses.