Reducing or Stopping Air Travel for the Environment

In some parts of the world, it is now common for people to Suggested change: minimize their environmental footprintminimize their environmental footprint1attempt to reduce the negative impact they have on the environment, and this includes flying less, with some people even refusing to fly at all. Suggested change: AlthoughAlthough2This essay will note that whilst this could be negative in terms of the economy, Suggested change: it is, of course, a net benefitit is, of course, a net benefit3it is of course a net benefit for the world. First of all, it is important to establish the fact that climate change impacts everyone in various ways and that it will only continue to worsen over the coming decades Suggested change: unless substantial systemic changes are implementedunless substantial systemic changes are implemented4unless massive changes are made. The impact on the world will likely include economic distress, so it is important to weigh financial gains today against those of the future. If someone argues that flying more now is important for the sake of the global economy, it overlooks the fact that the effects of climate change in the future could drastically outweigh this. Of course, the impacts go far beyond economic factors. Suggested change: People and animals will die, and this considerationPeople and animals will die, and this consideration5People and animals will die and this consideration should be given more weight than any other. That said, airplanes are hardly the biggest contributor to climate change. By some estimates, air travel Suggested change: contributes to 2.5% ofcontributes to 2.5% of6contributes 2.5% of total CO2 emissions, which is a relatively modest figure. If a small number of people from a small number of countries with low populations decide not to travel, the impact would be negligible. On the other hand, these people tend to be quite affluent, so their choice could negatively affect certain travel destinations. Thus, Suggested change: when making this decision, people oughtwhen making this decision, people ought7when making this decision people ought to weigh the realistic outcomes rather than the ideal ones. In any case, their aims are undeniably admirable and there will be some positive effect on the world Suggested change: in the long runin the long run8in the long-run. In conclusion, when considering the decision to fly less or not fly at all as a means of reducing environmental impact, it is clear that this is a positive step. However, it is probably positive only Suggested change: to a minor extentto a minor extent9in a quite minor way and many other steps ought to be taken.