Regulation of Air Travel on Environmental Grounds - Case Study Example

Government – Business Relations Report on: Regulation of Air Travel on Environmental Grounds Presented The Federal Government Presented By (on behalf of) : Greenpeace International Contents I. Abstract...........................................................................................................................2 II. Introduction....................................................................................................................2 III. Key Issues.......................................................................................................................4 IV. Historical Background of the Issue................................................................................4 V. Major Issues of Concern................................................................................................5 VI. Summary of Recommendations....................................................................................6 VII. Conclusion...................................................................................................................6 References....................................................................................................................7 I. Abstract: Aviation is a rapidly growing sector significant economic contributor globally. The International tourism, today, thrives on the aviation industry which offers affordable long haul as well as medium haul flights to the most popular tourist destinations. Moreover with the emergence of new and cheap private airlines offering affordable prices and attractive discounts its popularity is likely to double in the coming years, thus giving rise to several environmental concerns arising out of carbon emissions and vapor trails caused by the aircrafts leading to a steady deterioration in air quality thereby causing climate change. In the wake of such rapid rise in the popularity and acceptability of air travel as a convenient mode of transport and the resultant atmospheric changes is an issue of grave concern. It is thus the responsibility of the governing bodies of respective nations to acknowledge the hazards of such a trend and develop and adopt stringent measures to curb the same. This report seeks to highlight these issues, provide a discussion on the basis of various evidences in this regard and suggest alternative solutions and recommendations for implementing appropriate policies and framework with a view to ensure that the aviation industry continues to contribute towards the development of the nation at the same time achieving an acceptable degree of environmental balance. II. Introduction: The Greenpeace Foundation, Australia Mission Statement: “Greenpeace exists because this fragile earth deserves a voice. It needs solution. It needs change. It needs action.” The Greenpeace Foundation (International) is an independent international organization, established in 1971 by a small team of activists from Canada, that propagates campaigning of causes concerning the global environment and strives to initiate appropriate measures to bring about a change in the attitudes and approach of people across the globe by raising awareness about such severe issues as: energy revolution, conserving natural resources such as oceans and forests, issues stressing the need for disarmament and peace, creation of a toxic free future, as well as campaigning for sustainable agriculture among several others. Its goals and objectives include addressing issues concerning the environment and take prompt action to resolve them. Its core values lies in exposing the threats to the environment and preventing environmental destruction by finding appropriate and feasible solutions to the problems, ensuring financial and political independence of the organization, encouraging open debates on various topics addressing environmental issues affecting the society at large etc. Greenpeace has the ability, potential, knowledge, experience, support as well as the necessary infrastructure to help the government in addressing crucial issues concerning environmental problems and assist it in framing adequate laws and policies to prevent the gradual and steady deterioration in air quality leading to climate change and global warming. The organization has helped address critical issues since its inception and has successfully campaigned for the causes such as the Antarctic Environmental (Madrid) Protocol which is regarded as a milestone victory in environmental protection, campaigns against the use of toxic PVCs in children’s toys in the US and Europe, successful implementation of a ban against the usage of energy wasting light bulbs in Argentina, illegal timber trade in Congo among several others (Greenpeace Foundation, Australia, 2008). III. Key Issues (2 – 3 sentences) The rising concerns over the steady degradation of air quality and the resultant effects such as climate change due to the rise in air traffic is the prime area of concern for the government authorities who need to address this issue diligently and with due concern. The pristine beauty of the Australian sub continent with its grandeur comprising of rich flora and fauna, the serene beaches and scenic mountains hold great value to international tourists who flock the country each year which has however led to an alarming rise in air travel and its resultant adverse impact on the environment. Thus, it has become inevitable for the government to acknowledge this issue as a matter of grave concern and chart out policies and implement laws to restrict further degradation of the environment. IV. Historical Background of the Issue Climate change is an issue of growing prominence in the nation today with a host of voluntary organizations taking up the cause to promote the issue and spread awareness about the hazardous effects on human life as well as on the planet as a whole. Australian researchers have been involved in understanding the profound impact of increasing atmospheric changes due to emission of poisonous cases, carbon emissions, oceanic studies, as well as the greenhouse effect and undertaking atmospheric monitoring programs for over two decades now (Holper, Scott, 2006). There has been a gradual change in climate over the past several years however the vast difference in climatic conditions across the country has often misled the researchers who dismissed the phenomenon as non significant (Warren, 1945, Pp.110) and hence delaying timely action to prevent such large scale destruction of the environment. Although the issue of climate change assumed significance in Australia since the early 1987 the need to develop appropriate plans to combat the issue gained momentum after the publication of The Third Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change in the year 2001 which saw the development and implementation of several programs at the national level such as the Australian Climate Change Science Program and The National Climate Change Adaption Program by the year 2004 (Allen Consulting Group, 2005). However in spite of several programs and initiatives implemented in this regard, the country still needs several effective policies and a particularly robust adaption strategy to minimize climate risk especially with regard to air traffic control so as to reduce the air as well as noise pollution caused by the commercial as well private jetliners. This report supports the cause of “Sustainable Aviation” and seeks to suggest policies to support the aviation industry in adopting appropriate framework that would minimize or restrict the environmental degradation and at the same time generate awareness about the adverse consequences in case of failure to do so. V. Major issues of concern Some of the major issues of concern for the government as well as for the nation as a whole include climate change, rise in emission of poisonous gases, greenhouse effect, rising air and noise pollution due to increase in air traffic etc. According to a report generated by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, Department of Environment and Heritage, Australia, the national average temperatures are likely to increase by the year 2030, resulting in more heat waves and lesser frosts, possible reduction in average rainfall in Southern and Eastern Australia, and severe winds and cyclone amplified by rising sea levels. These sudden climate changes are likely to disrupt the natural ecological balance causing greater inconvenience affecting the sensitivities of man as well as nature and hence are a cause of great concern and in dire need of implementation of policies and laws advocating the protection of environment. VI. Summary of Recommendations The government can adopt several green marketing strategies to promote a healthier living environment and elevate the living standards of its citizens. Some of the suggestions that could be implemented by the federal government are listed in the form of recommendations, as follows: Aircrafts and other air carriers are known for emission of poisonous gases and leaving vapor trails more popularly known as contrails which prevail for long hours leading to events that cause a gradual rise in the temperature and hence resulting in global warming. According to various studies carried out by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, (EPSRC) in association with the Department of Physics, Imperial College, London, the adverse impact of such gases could be minimized by flying the aircrafts lower than the usual altitudes (EPSRC, 2005). Laws to this effect should be implemented restricting the altitudes of aircrafts. The government can introduce better, faster and cheaper modes of transport such as superfast trains and subways and other cheaper alternatives to divert air traffic for short distances. Air travel is increasingly becoming synonymous with environmental hazard and should be accompanied by a warning confirming the same which would make the passengers and travelers aware about the hazards of air travel. The general awareness about the environmental impact of air travel has grown in Australia which is evident from a recent survey in the country whereby one in five Australians admitted considering giving up air travel altogether on account of its adverse environmental impact (IUCN, 2008). Several independent organizations such as Conservation Volunteers for instance, have been strongly advocating the use of video conferencing or telephones for reducing air travel for business purposes (ACC, 2008). The government can introduce environmental tax on air travel which would help in discouraging frequent fliers and hence reduce air traffic by a considerable extent. Alternatively programs such as Green Air Miles Allowance can be introduced whereby the travelers who travel more frequently by air would be charged higher than the rest of the passengers. Also the system of personal carbon allowances (The Telegraph, 2007) can be introduced whereby the excess allowance could be traded for cash as and when required. This would encourage people to adopt a more environmental friendly lifestyle and reduce the adverse impact on the environment in the process. The government can also assist in technological innovations that would support lower emissions of such poisonous gases, develop appropriate airport infrastructure, introduces heavy taxes and penalties for those exceeding the granted allowance and bonuses for those complying with the rules and regulations. VII. Conclusion The aviation industry is an important contributor towards the growth and development of any economy and cannot be eliminated altogether. However, a balanced approach towards a sustainable environment could be achieved by introducing and ensuring the implementation of stringent measures with respect to application of certain technical standards and promoting the cause of greener skies. REFERENCES Greenpeace International, Greenpeace Australia Pacific, 2008. Viewed 27 September, 2008, http://www.greenpeace.org/international/ Holper, P. Scott, P. (Bureau of Meteorology) 2006, Australia’s climate change science priorities 2008 and beyond, Bureau of Meteorology – CSIRO Workshop Report, Australia viewed on 27 September, 2008. http://www.bom.gov.au/bmrc/basic/reports/Marysville_Report_2006_FINAL_Jan_2007.pdf Warren, H.N. 1945. Results of rainfall observations made in New South Wales: section I – VI, Pp. 110. Published 1945, Commonwealth Bureau of Meteorology. Allen Consulting Group, 2005. Climate Change: Risk and Vulnerability, Promoting an efficient adaption response in Australia, Report to the Australian Greenhouse office, Department of Environment and Heritage, viewed on 27 September, 2008. http://www.climatechange.gov.au/impacts/publications/pubs/risk-vulnerability-summary.pdf Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, 2005. Climate Change and the Future of Air Travel, U.K. viewed on 27 September, 2008. http://www.epsrc.ac.uk/PressReleases/ClimateChangeAndTheFutureOfAirTravel.htm International Union for Conservation of Nature, 2008. Keeping it Clean. Viewed on 27 September, 2008. http://www.iucn.org/resources/world_conservation/2008_issue1/index.cfm?uNewsID=130 Action for Climate Change, 2008. Conservation Volunteers: Business Action, Australia & New Zealand. Viewed on 27 September, 2008. http://www.actionforclimatechange.org.au/business-action-for-climate-change.html George, J. 2007. The Telegraph, Government’s 12 steps to becoming green. U.K. viewed on 27 September, 2008. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/main.jhtml?xml=/earth/2007/06/05/eaguide05.xml Read More