Environmental impact of aviation

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BigQ
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Re: Environmental impact of aviation

Post by BigQ »

Let's assume ACC is our fault - some data suggests otherwise, but let's.
Let's assume that we in the West have the power to reverse it - without cooperation from 2nd and 3rd world economies. Again, not without adverse disagreeing data, but let's.

There will be no improvement to our situation until the solutions that we adopt are both good for our prosperity and self-interest.

You can't ask for emission reductions from poor people wondering where their next meal is coming from.
You can't ask for emission reductions from rich people whose lifestyle will be negatively affected by the implementation.

For example, coal power plants shut down in the US not because of concern for the environment, but because it became nearly impossible to find economical-to-exploit coal deposit. And while that happened, the cost per BTU of Nat Gas dropped with the advent of fracking. So a whole bunch of emissions dropped in the US from their power plants as they were converted to gas-sourced. And the american economy prospered from that, notwithstanding less deaths in coal mines, etc etc.

Now we had a pipeline here in Canada pretty much quashed that was going to ship LNG from BC to Kitimat, for export to China. NIMBYs and enviros protested it to death, basically.
China just announced this week it is building 226GW of coal power plants.
Because China couldn't get our LNG, now they are going to pollute a far greater amount. Our lifestyle in Canada is negatively affected, Chinese population's lifestyle is going to be negatively affected, keeping them in poverty longer and thus in more polluting habits.

Another example, GM is shifting its car production from ICEs to EVs. Not because of concern for the environment, but because it costs less money to produce, and more of the production is roboticized, saving money, creating more profit.

So what can we do to curb ACC? Find ways to make money from lower emissions. Capitalism is the single greatest force in our economic system, and ignoring the drive to financial wealth/safety net is doing great disservice to the movement. When companies naturally adopt practices that reduce emissions, we will get lasting change. Trying to force government to enact a certain policy is foolish, because those who are negatively affected will vote in someone who will dismantle the new policies within 4 years. Lots of Trump bashers here will remember how he destroyed Obama's legislative legacy in his first 100 days.

FYI, the following up and coming green technologies being lauded are either more destructive than what they replaced, or not economical to exploit large-scale:
Windmills - only viable because of current cheap energy costs to produce. Europe still only gets a fraction of its power from it. Kills birds in the millions
Ethanol-based fuels - more forests being destroyed than saved because of ethanol subsidies
Injection of CO2 into deep wells - uneconomical without massive subsidies
"go vegan/alternative meat" - More forest and biology destruction for similar amount of calories than pastured animals. In Canada, carbon footprint skyrockets in the winter.
Direct Air Capture - high cost, for little benefit (no economical benefit)
CFL light bulbs - very nasty chemicals inside them, cannot be easily recycled -> LEDs or conventional bulbs are better
Solar panels - benefit is there, but currently there is no known way to properly recycle, and they are very toxic to environment when components released in environment. So the jury is still out - but work is being done.
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CpnCrunch
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Re: Environmental impact of aviation

Post by CpnCrunch »

Eric Janson wrote: Thu Oct 03, 2019 1:54 am The fact that they are now weaponising children tells me all I need to know.
No they're not. But, whatever.
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photofly
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Re: Environmental impact of aviation

Post by photofly »

I'm curious how a child gets invited onto a "carbon-neutral" yacht to sail across the atlantic to address the UN. I'm in my 40's and I don't have a clue where to find such a yacht. Who's behind all this? Who arranged it all? It's not a fifteen year old girl, for sure.
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iflyforpie
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Re: Environmental impact of aviation

Post by iflyforpie »

rookiepilot wrote: Wed Oct 02, 2019 6:28 pm
Helno wrote: Wed Oct 02, 2019 6:05 pm
We have been enjoying the clean air benefits as a result but people bitch about the cost of electricity.
There is the problem.

Everyone is a hypocrite. They want clean air without paying for it. You should see electricity prices in other countries, like Europe, and people make different choices. Many folks don't even own dryers, for example.

CBC constantly reports out of two sides of their face, especially from BC. They hate pipelines but every second article from BC complains about the price of gas.

Price is the primary way to change behaviour. I'm a fan of much higher gas taxes, road tolls too, and then the flood of giant SUV's to grab a quart of milk would disappear.

Don't tell me what to do. Don't shame me. Just change the price, rebate me the tax money, or use it to improve transit and other infrastructure, and let me make my own choices.
Couple things about BC.

First is that the gas prices rose disproportionately with the carbon tax. BC is exempt from federal carbon tax and the total increase per litre of gasoline since 2012 has only been just over 2c. Yet gas prices skyrocketed more than 30c a litre overnight. That’s not the result of taxes, that’s the result of gouging... and likely trying to win anti-carbon pro-pipeline votes since most of the month breathers will think it the price increase have to do with that.

Next, a pipeline won’t do anything for fuel prices. In fact, it will probably increase them because they aren’t going to pay for it or amortize it with already discounted heavy crude sales. The problem is lack of refineries. No oil company in the world is going to spend billions building more refineries for the pleasure of selling us cheaper gas... especially here in Canada where you can’t make it on volume sales.

And for what it’s worth, after a decade of carbon tax in BC it’s worked for me. I live in a province that’s financially solvent, has an awesome economy, that has the lowest income tax rates for most of us (you have to be well into the six figures to pay more income tax they they charge with the “Alberta Advantage”). Also I have two fuel efficient vehicles and a short commute so I don’t care how high fuel prices go.
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Last edited by iflyforpie on Thu Oct 03, 2019 9:11 am, edited 1 time in total.
Geez did I say that....? Or just think it....?
Squaretail
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Re: Environmental impact of aviation

Post by Squaretail »

photofly wrote: Thu Oct 03, 2019 8:03 am Who's behind all this? Who arranged it all? It's not a fifteen year old girl, for sure.
This can be asked whenever we see some supposed prodigy. It always seems that depending on your political bent there will be some kid doing something amazing that helps reinforce your world view of the right of things. I did probably an above average amount of labour as a child and at best I could buy a new pair of skates or a bicycle with my earnings. It certainly wouldn’t have paid for my circumnavigating the world by whatever means, and certainly no one gave a rat’s ass about what I thought about anything at that age.

But that said, it surprises me (well actually it doesn’t) that some people get so bent out of shape about it. People are, and will always be trying to find ways to make their children famous. I have no doubts that the other side will produce their prodigy who will sail around the world in a coal fired whaling ship to set things to rights.
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I'm not sure what's more depressing: That everyone has a price, or how low the price always is.
Donald
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Re: Environmental impact of aviation

Post by Donald »

Environmental impact of aviation?

There is a federal election happening right now, and most leaders are criss-crossing the country in relatively modern aircraft. Except for the guy who preaches most about "doing better". He's flying around in a 737-800 for himself, and a 737-200 for his costumes.

But that's ok, because the 200 is from a Quebec company, and he bought carbon offsets.
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AirFrame
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Re: Environmental impact of aviation

Post by AirFrame »

photofly wrote: Thu Oct 03, 2019 8:03 am I'm curious how a child gets invited onto a "carbon-neutral" yacht to sail across the atlantic to address the UN. I'm in my 40's and I don't have a clue where to find such a yacht. Who's behind all this? Who arranged it all? It's not a fifteen year old girl, for sure.
Well, she does have well-off parents, and her father was on the boat as well as a camera crew. She wanted to go to New York, but didn't want to fly because of the carbon footprint. No doubt her father or someone they know offered the use of the ship instead.

I want to know why they don't call it a sailboat, but hey, whatever floats your zero-emissions boat.
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photofly
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Re: Environmental impact of aviation

Post by photofly »

Well off or otherwise, when I was 15, my parents would have about as much idea where to find a boat and book me to speak at the UN as hers do. Someone is managing this. Not that there's necessarily anything wrong with that except that it shouldn't be presented as something spontaneous. So: who's behind it all?
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altiplano
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Re: Environmental impact of aviation

Post by altiplano »

photofly wrote: Thu Oct 03, 2019 9:55 am Someone is managing this.
Absolutely.

They are putting an overly emotional, mentally ill, child out there because it feeds the outrage when you call bullshit.

But there's a reason children don't set policy.

It's just like when you question a policy and they call your a racist.

"We need to review our policy on foreign real estate development"
- "RACIST!"

"We should have a discussion about reinstating a points based immigration system to encourage economic immigrants"
- "HATEFUL!"

"We need to consider strengthening our border to stop illegal crossings, and encourage refugee claims through the proper channels, so we can most effectively support refugees with valid claims"
- "NAZI!"
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tps8903
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Re: Environmental impact of aviation

Post by tps8903 »

Donald wrote: Thu Oct 03, 2019 9:20 am Environmental impact of aviation?

There is a federal election happening right now, and most leaders are criss-crossing the country in relatively modern aircraft. Except for the guy who preaches most about "doing better". He's flying around in a 737-800 for himself, and a 737-200 for his costumes.

But that's ok, because the 200 is from a Quebec company, and he bought carbon offsets.
Ahhhh, the good 'ol carbon offset. Translation: I'm rich, so I can just buy my way out of doing my part for the environment. But those who can't, just walk to work.

As was mentioned here earlier, these "Green" policies disproportionately hurt the non-rich people in society as the taxes/offsets take up a greater proportion of their income.
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photofly
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Re: Environmental impact of aviation

Post by photofly »

tps8903 wrote: Thu Oct 03, 2019 10:32 am
Ahhhh, the good 'ol carbon offset. Translation: I'm rich, so I can just buy my way out of doing my part for the environment. But those who can't, just walk to work.
But, this is nothing specific to environmental concerns. If I'm rich I can buy my way out of doing my part in almost anything: I can pay someone to do my laundry, clean my car, pick up my children from school, and anything else I should need to do. I can even employ someone as my proxy to vote for me.

Money gets me lots of privileges in life: that's why most of us want to earn more of it.

The only thing I can't pay someone to do (usually) is a religious obligation. And that starts to make sense of your objection to rich people buying carbon credits: you don't actually care about carbon, but you do see environmentalism as a religious obligation, with the same lack of objectivity as is found in most religions. Otherwise why would you be remotely bothered if someone can buy their way to a better environment, or whether they have to suffer for it?

Am I wrong?
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DId you hear the one about the jurisprudence fetishist? He got off on a technicality.
tps8903
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Re: Environmental impact of aviation

Post by tps8903 »

photofly wrote: Thu Oct 03, 2019 10:41 am
tps8903 wrote: Thu Oct 03, 2019 10:32 am
Ahhhh, the good 'ol carbon offset. Translation: I'm rich, so I can just buy my way out of doing my part for the environment. But those who can't, just walk to work.
But, this is nothing specific to environmental concerns. If I'm rich I can buy my way out of doing my part in almost anything: I can pay someone to do my laundry, clean my car, pick up my children from school, and anything else I should need to do. I can even employ someone as my proxy to vote for me.

Money gets me lots of privileges in life: that's why most of us want to earn more of it.

The only thing I can't pay someone to do (usually) is a religious obligation. And that starts to make sense of your objection to rich people buying carbon credits: you don't actually care about carbon, but you do see environmentalism as a religious obligation, with the same lack of objectivity as is found in most religions. Otherwise why would you be remotely bothered if someone can buy their way to a better environment, or whether they have to suffer for it?

Am I wrong?
Yeah, pretty much. I don't subscribe to these ideals. I wouldn't presume to tell people how to live their life. But that's the problems with environmentalism, no shortage of people standing on their soap box beating their drum telling everyone what they have to do as a collective, but not willing to take action on their own. The sanctimony mixed with hypocrisy is unbelievable. If it's so important, then why aren't the people raising the alarm doing anything about their own lives?

I think to your religious point, I believe that environmentalism has displaced to some extent traditional organised religion. So yes, playing by the rules "they" make and generally enforce on the masses, I believe they should also do their part, and should not be financially exempt. Their rules, not mine......They are the ones that tell us it's everybody's problem. If you are going to force me to live by your religion (carbon taxes etc) you better be willing to follow your own gospel.

The truth is I don't really care, I'm not a believer in the alarmism. It's the hypocrisy that drives me nuts.
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CpnCrunch
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Re: Environmental impact of aviation

Post by CpnCrunch »

Ha, it sounds like someone is jealous. From what I can see, she is highly intelligent and understands the science, which I think is more than can be said of the person here who is continually calling her mentally challenged. Carry on...
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Re: Environmental impact of aviation

Post by rookiepilot »

iflyforpie wrote: Thu Oct 03, 2019 8:56 am
I live in a province that’s financially solvent, has an awesome economy, that has the lowest income tax rates for most of us (you have to be well into the six figures to pay more income tax they they charge with the “Alberta Advantage”).
Amazing what an ocean of laundered money does for an economy.
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Re: Environmental impact of aviation

Post by corethatthermal »

Well, she does have well-off parents, and her father was on the boat as well as a camera crew. She wanted to go to New York, but didn't want to fly because of the carbon footprint. No doubt her father or someone they know offered the use of the ship instead.

I want to know why they don't call it a sailboat, but hey, whatever floats your zero-emissions boat.

AND how does the crew and parents get back to Europe? Fly in a plane !!
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C.W.E.
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Re: Environmental impact of aviation

Post by C.W.E. »

As to religion I am devoutly religious and it sure helped me in my career.

Wherever I went around the world my belief in a higher power made things easy for me...thanks Benjamin Franklin.
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Eric Janson
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Re: Environmental impact of aviation

Post by Eric Janson »

photofly wrote: Thu Oct 03, 2019 8:03 am I'm curious how a child gets invited onto a "carbon-neutral" yacht to sail across the atlantic to address the UN. I'm in my 40's and I don't have a clue where to find such a yacht. Who's behind all this? Who arranged it all? It's not a fifteen year old girl, for sure.
Here you go - a detailed look at the people behind Greta Thunberg.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Jpk8Ix1CCg

Bunch of Marxists - not exactly a surprise.

This is all about Power - saddens me that otherwise intelligent people can't figure this out.
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Re: Environmental impact of aviation

Post by AirFrame »

Eric Janson wrote: Fri Oct 04, 2019 3:47 amHere you go - a detailed look at the people behind Greta Thunberg.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Jpk8Ix1CCg
And here's the people behind the making of that video. Consider the source. https://redice.tv/about
This is all about Power - saddens me that otherwise intelligent people can't figure this out.
Kind of what I was thinking, but for a different reason.
CpnCrunch wrote:Ha, it sounds like someone is jealous. From what I can see, she is highly intelligent and understands the science, which I think is more than can be said of the person here who is continually calling her mentally challenged. Carry on...
Spot on.
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altiplano
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Re: Environmental impact of aviation

Post by altiplano »

AOC Green New Deal supporter:

"We only have a few months left, save the planet, eat the babies."

https://mobile.twitter.com/BarrettWilso ... -babies%2F
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altiplano
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Re: Environmental impact of aviation

Post by altiplano »

AirFrame wrote: Fri Oct 04, 2019 6:27 am
CpnCrunch wrote:Ha, it sounds like someone is jealous. From what I can see, she is highly intelligent and understands the science, which I think is more than can be said of the person here who is continually calling her mentally challenged. Carry on...
Spot on.
It's a fact guys:
- depression
- Asperger syndrome
- obsessive compulsive disorder
- selective mutism

You might not like it but you are better to take that up with the doctors that diagnosed her then... she openly acknowledges her mental disorders.
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