Introduction
The aviation industry is one of the most vulnerable to climate change impacts. It’s no secret that jet fuel is one of the most polluting forms of fossil fuels, and this is why airlines are looking at alternative sources. The industry has already seen an increase in airfares as a result of rising oil prices.
Say’s Dr. Jon Kiev, the aviation industry is one of the fastest growing sectors of the global economy. In 2017, it was estimated that over 3.7 billion people flew on commercial airlines worldwide (1). However, this rapid growth has come at a price: increased carbon emissions.
The aviation industry is one of the fastest growing sectors of the global economy. In 2017, it was estimated that over 3.7 billion people flew on commercial airlines worldwide (1). However, this rapid growth has come at a price: increased carbon emissions.
Climate change is going to hit air travel in a big way.
Rising temperatures and air pollution will affect airports
Airports are on the front line of climate change. They are affected by changes in temperature, pollution and precipitation. As a result, airports need to be aware of how these factors can affect operations.
- Airports will experience warmer temperatures–which may lead to increased demand for air conditioning or other cooling systems that consume energy resources.*
- Increased precipitation could result in flooding at airports with poor drainage systems or inadequate drainage infrastructure.*
Flight paths may need to change due to shifting weather patterns.
As climate change continues to impact the weather patterns of the world, it will also have an effect on flight paths. The changes in weather patterns will affect how planes fly and where they go. This could make it more difficult for aircraft to efficiently reach their destinations without having to adjust their route or increase fuel consumption.
Warming oceans could lead to more intense storms.
Climate change could lead to more intense storms. In the future, hurricanes and typhoons may be more frequent and severe. This is because warmer oceans are able to hold more water vapor, which means that when these storms hit land they’re likely to drop even more rain than usual.
The effects of climate change on aviation are already being felt by airports around the world–and scientists say that this trend will only continue into the future if we don’t act quickly and decisively to reduce our carbon footprint. The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has estimated that global warming could result in $21 billion worth of damage every year from 2021-2050 unless something changes soon!
Droughts could reduce available fuel for some airports.
Droughts can reduce the amount of fuel available at airports. This can lead to fuel shortages, which could cause flight delays or cancellations.
Conclusion
The impact of climate change on aviation is a serious one, with potentially far-reaching consequences. The good news is that we can take action to mitigate these effects. By reducing our carbon footprint through renewable energy sources and more efficient transportation systems, we can help reduce the amount of air pollution in our skies while also slowing down global warming.
