Plane disaster for the ozone layer

AVIATION POLLUTION: The number of greenhouse gases emitted every time a plane takes off is increasing at a very high rate.

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New Delhi: For Satish Kumar, a farmer from Haryana, his first time by flight was a very thrilling experience. Normally, he would have taken the train but this time around, he wanted to experience what it was like to fly.

Then there is Rekha Sharma, who regularly takes flights to accompany her doctor husband for conferences. “I go by air at least twice a week. It’s very convenient,” says she.

As the Indian aviation sector booms and more and more Indians take to the skies, the number of greenhouse gases that are emitted every time a flight takes off is increasing at a very high rate.

The aviation sector has still not woken up to their contribution to this climate change causing global warming.

According to a scientific research, aviation currently accounts for approximately two per cent of greenhouse gasses. Scientists believe that soon this figure will double.

Across the world 16,000 commercial jet aircraft produce more than 600 million tonnes of carbon dioxide annually, an amount that equals the entire African continent.

On average trains create one third of the carbon dioxide emissions of a plane.

So a flight from Delhi to Kanpur, would release 375 kg of carbon dioxide emissions - as opposed to a train, which would be just 75 Kg.

Aviation expert, Kapil Kaul says that the aviation industry understands the role of environment but is doing about climate change. “It is not on their agenda to do so,” says he.

It would be more practical for a traveler to reduce their carbon footprint by making informed choices. Airlines like British airways for instance have a clear policy on carbon emissions.

Trains would also be good alternatives to air travel with the added benefits of no fog delays and check in problems.