We must reconsider our need to fly

12 August 2014

The travel advisory 'you should reconsider your need to travel' has taken on new meaning now that we’ve had a commercial jetliner shot down while it was flying through air space above a conflict zone.

International airlines were immediately challenged to fly safer skies, even if it meant using more fuel. At first Qantas was not going to deviate from its established flight path over Iraq. But it was subsequently influenced by other airlines to re-route its Dubai to London flights around Iraqi airspace, even though this would make the flights uneconomic.

In the long-term, more circuitous routes will put upward pressure on fares. Will we grin and bear the extra financial burden, or might there be other factors at play?

Human fear is a strange thing. As a counsellor, I understand that the intensity of fear is often not matched by real levels of danger. For example, in the wake of the 9/11 tragedy, large numbers of Americans switched from flying to driving, even though it was in reality less safe, and it led to a proportional rise in deaths on US roads.

It seems to me that most people are fairly oblivious to the most dangerous aspect of air travel. That is its impact on the long-term viability of the biosphere. The latest research is pointing towards a terrifying 4 degrees or more global average temperature rise by 2100. That is a good reason to apply the ‘you should reconsider your need to travel’ advisory to all air travel.

Yet people manifest, at best, a collective blindness and, at worst, a kind of idolatry. Notice how excited your colleagues become around the water cooler as they talk about their next trip. Ever tried challenging the wisdom of their plans? I have. Even ardent climate activists will push back on the suggestion they should exercise restraint.

International events are taking place in virtually all areas of human endeavour. In addition to professional conferences and sporting competitions, there is everything from the Harbin International Ice and Snow Sculpture festival to the World Paper Planes Championships.

Religious institutions are as much a part of this trend as anyone else. World Youth Day comes with a substantial environmental cost, but this is very rarely questioned. International relationships are fostered to maintain overseas aid and development work, and inspirational speakers are hosted from across the globe.

What is conveniently overlooked is the fact that aviation’s contribution to global emissions varies from

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ENVIRONMENT

We must reconsider our need to fly

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