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Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s proposed Green New Deal could have a major impact on the travel industry – banning air travel.
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Introduction
The Green New Deal a set of progressive policies proposed by Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Senator Edward J. Markey, could have a number of far-reaching implications for the U.S. economy and way of life. One of the most radical proposals is to ban air travel, which would upend the transportation sector and have a ripple effect on many other industries.
Air travel is a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions, and those emissions are growing as the industry expands. In 2016, commercial aviation contributed about 2 percent of global emissions of carbon dioxide, the main greenhouse gas; by 2050, it could contribute upward of 13 percent if nothing changes. The growth in air travel is being driven in part by an expanding middle class in developing countries, who are taking to the skies in ever-greater numbers.
Bans on air travel have been proposed before, but they have always been dismissed as unrealistic. The Green New Deal’s supporters say that it is time to start thinking about radical solutions to the climate crisis. They point out that other countries, including France and Sweden, have put forth similar proposals.
The airline industry is already feeling pressure to become more environmentally friendly. Several airlines have pledged to reduce their emissions in line with the goals of the Paris climate agreement. But those pledges are nonbinding, and it remains to be seen whether the industry will be able to make the necessary changes quickly enough to avert climate disaster.
What is the Green New Deal?
The so-called Green New Deal is a resolution that was introduced by Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) and Senator Edward J. Markey (D-MA) on February 7, 2019. The resolution outlines a broad set of goals for achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions and creating millions of high-wage jobs. The non-binding resolution does not yet include any specific policies or mechanisms for achieving these goals.
While the goals of the Green New Deal are ambitious, some of the methods proposed for achieving them, such as banning air travel, have been met with criticism. Some argue that the Green New Deal’s goals are unrealistic and would be too costly to implement. Others argue that the Green New Deal is necessary to avert the worst impacts of climate change and that the cost of inaction is far greater than the cost of implementing the Green New Deal.
What would banning air travel do?
Banning air travel would have a number of impacts, both good and bad. On the plus side, it would significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions, helping to mitigate the effects of climate change. It would also reduce noise pollution and make it easier for people to get around without having to deal with airport security.
On the downside, banning air travel would be a major inconvenience for many people, particularly those who live in remote areas or who need to travel long distances for work or pleasure. It would also likely lead to the loss of jobs in the aviation industry.
How would this affect the economy?
As part of her proposed Green New Deal, Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has suggested ban on air travel. This would obviously have a major impact on the economy, both in terms of the aviation industry and in terms of the overall reduction in travel.
The aviation industry would be hit hard by a ban on air travel. Not only would airlines be forced to shut down, but airports and other related businesses would also be impacted. This could lead to a significant increase in unemployment.
The reduction in travel would also have an impact on the economy. Fewer people traveling would mean less spending on hotels, restaurants, and other tourism-related businesses. This could lead to a decrease in GDP and an overall slowdown of the economy.
What are the environmental benefits?
The Green New Deal, a proposal by Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York and Senator Edward J. Markey of Massachusetts to address climate change and income inequality, has been met with criticism from some who say it is too ambitious and would be too costly. But among its provisions is a ban on domestic air travel, which, supporters say, could have significant environmental benefits.
While the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has said that aviation emissions account for about 2 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions, they are growing at a faster rate than emissions from other sectors and are projected to make up a larger share in the future. And because aircraft fly at high altitudes, their emissions have a greater impact on climate change than emissions at lower altitudes.
A report by the International Council on Clean Transportation found that if all aircraft were replaced with newer, more fuel-efficient models, there would be a reduction in emissions of about 50 percent by 2050. But even with improvements in fuel efficiency, the number of air passengers is expected to nearly double by 2037, meaning that without other changes, aviation emissions would grow significantly.
One way to reduce these emissions would be to replace domestic flights with high-speed rail, which has been shown to produce far fewer greenhouse gas emissions than flying. But given the state of US infrastructure, that may not be realistic in the near term. So a ban on domestic flying could be one way to reduce Aviation’s impact on climate change in the meantime.
What are the drawbacks?
The Green New Deal, a comprehensive plan to combat climate change proposed by Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, has come under fire from some who say that it would be too expensive and difficult to implement. One of the most controversial aspects of the plan is the possibility that it could ban air travel, which would have a major impact on the economy and people’s ability to travel.
Critics of the Green New Deal point to the fact that air travel is a major source of greenhouse gas emissions, and say that banning it would be one of the most effective ways to reduce these emissions. They also argue that air travel is a luxury that many people can’t afford, and that banning it would disproportionately impact low-income people and people of color.
Supporters of the Green New Deal say that its goals are ambitious but necessary in order to avert the worst impacts of climate change. They argue that we need to take bold action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and that banning air travel is one of the most effective ways to do this. They also point out that many low-income people and people of color already don’t have access to air travel, so banning it would not have as big of an impact on them as critics claim.
What other countries are doing
The Green New Deal, a set of proposed policies by Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to tackle climate change, has come under fire for its cost and ambitious goals. But one provision in particular – a ban on air travel – has sparked outrage among Americans who see it as an infringement on their personal freedom.
While the United States has not taken any action to ban air travel, other countries have implemented similar policies in an effort to reduce their carbon footprints. China, for example, has imposed a number of restrictions on domestic air travel in recent years. In 2013, the country’s Civil Aviation Administration implemented a rule limiting the number of flights that could take off and land at Beijing’s Capital International Airport during peak hours.
The following year, China announced plans to build more than 60 new airports by 2020, partly in an effort to curb air traffic congestion. And in 2015, the country instituted a policy requiring all domestic airlines to use biofuel for at least some of their flights.
So far, these measures have had mixed results. Air travel in China increased by 7% between 2013 and 2016, according to data from the country’s civil aviation authority. And while the use of biofuels has grown in recent years, it still only accounts for a tiny fraction of the fuel used by Chinese airlines.
What is the likelihood of this happening?
The likelihood of this happening is very low. The Green New Deal is a resolution, not a bill, so it cannot ban anything. It’s possible that a bill inspired by the Green New Deal could include a ban on air travel, but it’s highly unlikely.
What are the next steps?
The non-binding resolution, proposed by freshman Democratic Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York and Senator Edward Markey of Massachusetts, calls for the United States to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions within 10 years through a broad range of social and economic reforms.
Ocasio-Cortez has been clear that the Green New Deal is just a resolution and not legislation, but it has already drawn criticism from some Democrats who say it is unrealistic and too ambitious. So what are the next steps for the Green New Deal?
For starters, the measure will need to be reintroduced in the new Congress that convenes in January. Then, it will likely be referred to committee in both the House and Senate, where it could face significant opposition from Republicans and more moderate Democrats.Assuming it makes it out of committee, the Green New Deal would then need to be approved by a simple majority in both the House and Senate before going to President Trump’s desk.
Trump has already dismissed the Green New Deal as “totally unrealistic,” but if it did make it to his desk, he would have two options: veto it or sign it into law. If vetoed, Congress could override Trump’s veto with a two-thirds vote in both chambers.
It’s worth noting that even if the Green New Deal were to become law, implementing many of its provisions would require buy-in from state and local governments, as well as the private sector. Given all of these hurdles, it’s unlikely that the Green New Deal will be enacted in its current form. But it could serve as an important starting point for discussions on how to address climate change in a substantive way.
Conclusion
As Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s progressive plans for the Green New Deal continue to be met with both support and criticism, one thing is certain: her proposed policies would have a major impact on the way we travel.
In herFAQ about the Green New Deal, Ocasio-Cortez says that she envisions a future in which “air travel becomes uncomfortable” and eventually banned altogether in favor of “high-speed rail.” This would be a radical shift from the way things are now, and it’s one that would have a major impact on both the economy and the environment.
Critics of the Green New Deal have been quick to point out that such a ban on air travel would be devastating to the economy, and they’re not wrong. According to analysis by the airline industry, a ban on domestic air travel would cost the U.S. economy $iple of years later, as people adjust their travel plans and find other ways to get around.
It’s also worth noting that a ban on air travel would disproportionately impact low-income Americans, who are less likely to be able to afford alternative forms of transportation like trains or cars. For many people, flying is the only way they can visit family or take vacations.
Ocasio-Cortez has not yet said how she would implement such a ban on air travel, or if she even intends to follow through with it. But given her track record of proposing bold policies that challenge the status quo, it’s not out of the realm of possibility that she could make good on her promise to ban air travel in the name of saving our planet.
