Contents
- Introduction
- What is the Green New Deal?
- How the Green New Deal will affect air travel
- The pros of the Green New Deal
- The cons of the Green New Deal
- What this means for the future of air travel
- How the Green New Deal could benefit the airline industry
- How the Green New Deal could hurt the airline industry
- The impact of the Green New Deal on the environment
- The bottom line
The Green New Deal has the potential to make air travel obsolete by providing a cleaner, more efficient way to travel.
Checkout this video:
Introduction
In February, Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez released a plan called the Green New Deal. The nonbinding resolution, which aims to transition the United States to 100 percent renewable energy by 2030, has been co-sponsored by dozens of House and Senate Democrats. While some have criticized the cost and feasibility of the ambitious plan, few have disputed its ultimate goal: to decarbonize the American economy in order to avert catastrophic climate change.
One sector of the economy that would be significantly impacted by the Green New Deal is air travel. In 2016, commercial aviation accounted for approximately 2 percent of global carbon dioxide emissions, and that number is projected to grow as air travel becomes more accessible and popular in developing countries. If we are serious about reducing emissions in line with the goals of the Paris climate agreement—which calls for limiting global warming to “well below” two degrees Celsius—then it is time to seriously consider how we can make do with less flying.
There are a number of ways to do this. First, we can develop new technologies that make air travel more efficient and reduce its environmental impact. Second, we can encourage airlines to use more sustainable aviation fuels. And third, we can change our behaviors as consumers of air travel, by flying less or choosing slower but greener modes of transportation.
Any one of these solutions would be a good start, but together they could transform commercial aviation into a much greener industry. And that would be good news for the climate—and for our wallets.
What is the Green New Deal?
The Green New Deal is a set of proposed economic stimulus programs in the United States that would address climate change and economic inequality. The deal includes investments in renewable energy, high-speed rail, and electric vehicles. It also calls for universal health care and a jobs guarantee.
How the Green New Deal Obsoletes Air Travel
The Green New Deal’s emphasis on investing in renewable energy, high-speed rail, and electric vehicles obsoletes air travel. Air travel is a major contributor to climate change, and the switch to electric vehicles will make air travel much cleaner and more efficient. High-speed rail is also a cleaner and more efficient way to travel long distances.
How the Green New Deal will affect air travel
The Green New Deal is a resolution that was proposed by Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Senator Edward Markey in February of 2019. The resolution calls for a rapid and ambitious transformation of the American economy to combat climate change. One of the ways in which the Green New Deal would achieve this goal is by transitioning to renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar power. This would essentially make air travel obsolete, as planes run on fossil fuels.
There are many other reasons why air travel may become obsolete in the near future. For one, electric vehicles are becoming increasingly popular and efficient. As battery technology continues to improve, electric cars will only become more prevalent. Once electric cars become the norm, it is likely that electric trains and buses will follow suit. This would make traveling by airplane much less necessary. In addition, new advancements in video conferencing technology are making it possible to have meetings without ever having to leave your home or office. As these technologies continue to improve, there will be less of a need for business travel.
It is important to note that the Green New Deal is far from becoming reality. It faces stiff opposition from both the Republican Party and the fossil fuel industry. However, if it were to pass, it would have a profound impact on air travel and could very well lead to its downfall.
The pros of the Green New Deal
The Green New Deal is a comprehensive package of legislation that aims to address the climate crisis by investing in green infrastructure and creating millions of jobs in the renewable energy sector. One of the most controversial aspects of the Green New Deal is its proposal to phase out air travel. While this may seem like a drastic measure, there are actually several compelling reasons why this policy makes sense.
First and foremost, air travel is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. In fact, according to one study, the aviation industry is responsible for around 2% of all human-caused carbon emissions. Given that we need to reduce our emissions by at least half in order to avoid catastrophic climate change, it simply makes sense to target airlines as part of the Green New Deal.
In addition, electric cars are becoming increasingly popular and efficient, making it possible for long-distance travel to be powered completely by renewable energy. High-speed rail is also a cleaner and more efficient alternative to flying, particularly for journeys of less than 500 miles. As such, there really is no need for air travel to continue as we move into the future.
Finally, it’s worth noting that the jobs created by the Green New Deal will be much more sustainable than those in the aviation industry. The renewable energy sector is growing rapidly and offers a wide range of well-paid career opportunities. In contrast, the aviation industry is facing an uncertain future due to rising fuel costs and increasing public awareness of its environmental impact.
Overall, there are many good reasons why the Green New Deal should include a commitment to phasing out air travel. This policy would help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, create sustainable jobs, and make long-distance travel more efficient.
The cons of the Green New Deal
The Green New Deal, a set of progressive economic proposals popularized by freshman Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, has come under fire from both the right and the left. Critics from both sides of the aisle say that the Deal is too expensive, too ambitious, and would never work in practice. But one group that has been largely silent on the Deal is the airline industry.
That’s because the Green New Deal, if enacted, would make air travel all but obsolete. The Deal calls for a rapid transition to renewable energy sources, an end to subsidies for fossil fuel industries, and a huge investment in public transportation. These measures would make flying much more expensive and significantly reduce demand for air travel.
In addition, the Green New Deal proposes drastic reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. Air travel is one of the most carbon-intensive activities there is, responsible for about 2% of all human-caused emissions of carbon dioxide. Even small reductions in air travel would have a significant impact on reducing emissions.
The airline industry is understandably worried about the impact that the Green New Deal could have on their business. If implemented, it would likely lead to a sharp decline in air travel and could even threatens the viability of the industry as a whole.
What this means for the future of air travel
The Green New Deal has the potential to make air travel obsolete. The plan includes a massive investment in renewable energy, which would make flying much more expensive. It also includes a focus on high-speed rail, which would provide a much more efficient way to travel.
How the Green New Deal could benefit the airline industry
The Green New Deal, if fully implemented, would have a profound impact on the aviation industry. One of the key goals of the Green New Deal is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by transitioning to renewable energy sources. This would likely mean a dramatic reduction in air travel, as flying is one of the most carbon-intensive activities.
In addition, the Green New Deal calls for investing in high-speed rail, which would provide a more sustainable and efficient way to travel long distances. This could further reduce demand for air travel.
The aviation industry has long been one of the fastest-growing sources of greenhouse gas emissions, and it is clear that something needs to be done to reduce its impact. The Green New Deal presents a unique opportunity for the industry to make a real difference.
How the Green New Deal could hurt the airline industry
The airline industry is one of the biggest polluters in the world, and with the rise of climate change, many are wondering how sustainable air travel really is. One proposal that has been gaining traction is the Green New Deal, which calls for a massive shift to renewable energy in order to combat climate change. This would mean a huge reduction in air travel, as there would no longer be a need for it.
This could have a devastating effect on the airline industry, which is already struggling due to rising fuel costs and increased competition. If the Green New Deal goes into effect, it could spell the end of air travel as we know it, and force people to find other ways to get around.
The impact of the Green New Deal on the environment
One of the most controversial aspects of the Green New Deal is its potential impact on air travel. The New York Times has called air travel “the biggest environmental issue that most people don’t think about,” and it’s easy to see why.
Commercial aviation is responsible for about 2 percent of all human-produced carbon dioxide emissions, and those emissions are growing faster than any other sector of the economy. If we don’t find a way to reduce them, they could account for as much as 15 percent of global emissions by 2050.
The good news is that there are plenty of ways to make flying more sustainable. Electric planes are already in development, and biofuels made from algae or other plants could reduce emissions by up to 80 percent. But even if we manage to make flying more environmentally friendly, there are still other factors to consider.
The Green New Deal also calls for a “net-zero” approach to greenhouse gas emissions, meaning that any emissions we can’t eliminate would have to be offset by activities that remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. That could mean planting trees or investing in carbon capture technology.
But offsetting the emissions from air travel would be a huge challenge. A round-trip flight between New York and California emits about as much carbon dioxide as the average American emits in an entire year. To offset just one person’s annual air travel would require planting tens of thousands of trees or investing in carbon capture on a massive scale.
The bottom line is that the Green New Deal would have a major impact on air travel, and it’s not clear whether that impact would be positive or negative. What is clear is that flying is no longer a sustainable way to travel, and we need to find alternative ways to get around if we want to avoid catastrophic climate change.
The bottom line
The Green New Deal is a comprehensive plan to address the climate crisis that includes transitioning to renewable energy, investing in green infrastructure, and creating jobs in the clean energy sector. One of its key goals is to reduce emissions from the transportation sector, which is responsible for a large share of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States.
Air travel is a significant contributor to transportation-related emissions, and the Green New Deal would outdated this form of travel. Electric vehicles are becoming increasingly viable as an alternative to air travel, as they are more efficient and have a smaller carbon footprint. In addition, high-speed rail is a cleaner and more efficient way to travel long distances. As the Green New Deal moves forward, it is likely that air travel will become increasingly obsolete.