Empty skies proved that airports cause pollution.

[trekkiedane]

Scientists have used the no-flying period caused by the ash cloud to show for the first time that airports are themselves significant causes of pollution. Although long suspected, the fact that mass take-offs and landings are large pollution sources could never be proved before, because aircraft pollution could not be measured as separate from the pollution caused by vehicles operating near by.

The Independent


The only actually news here is that we now have definite proof (real person speak for the scientific term: 'very strong indication') that airports need to be moved significantly further away from where people live and that air traffic needs to be heavily downsized -or that the air traffic industry needs to be taxed in order to pay for the health related costs it causes.

Your thoughts welcomed.

 

[Robert Maxwell]

I'm okay with taxing them for the environmental impact of their activities. The environmental costs of any economic activity should be considered and accounted for.

 

[T'Baio]

So these readings were taken, what, five days ago? I'm sure they've done extensive correlational research, compared wind and weather patterns, done covariance analyses, and such?

 

[John Picard]

Scientists have used the no-flying period caused by the ash cloud to show for the first time that airports are themselves significant causes of pollution. Although long suspected, the fact that mass take-offs and landings are large pollution sources could never be proved before, because aircraft pollution could not be measured as separate from the pollution caused by vehicles operating near by.

The Independent


The only actually news here is that we now have definite proof (real person speak for the scientific term: 'very strong indication') that airports need to be moved significantly further away from where people live and that air traffic needs to be heavily downsized -or that the air traffic industry needs to be taxed in order to pay for the health related costs it causes.

Your thoughts welcomed.

Well, for starters take a look at the history of most major airports and you'll see that often, they were located "out in the boondocks". Chicago O'Hare and even Midway Field come to mind. Over time, the land was developed as the city of Chicago grew and eventually houses and businesses encroached. It's an eventuality.

Economist Milton Friedman once stated that in an industrial society there's going to be a degree of pollution. It's just a fact of life.

On the other side, I am surprised that it was not reported that water is wet.

 

[Deranged Nasat]

I have spent the majority of my life so far just down the road from Heathrow Airport. Is it really so hard for them to understand that this is not good for my lungs?

I almost constantly feel short of oxygen, I breathe very heavily, I gasp for breath a lot. I am not, however, overweight, asthmatic, otherwise unhealthy in any way (as my doctor could tell you), or a smoker. I also exercise quite a bit. There shouldn't be anything wrong with my lungs.

 

[B.J.]

No, it's not the first time this has been shown. The days after 9/11 were used by meterologists, etc to great effect, and they didn't have a volcano muddying up the results. Although the fact that jet engines put out pollution is obvious to anybody, what else would you have them do? The fuel is already heavily taxed, and new airports are usually built far from anybody. The fact that people build houses next to them is not their fault.

 

[Deranged Nasat]

I'm okay with taxing them for the environmental impact of their activities. The environmental costs of any economic activity should be considered and accounted for.

Taxes don't actually help the people who have to breathe it in every day.

 

[Deranged Nasat]

.... new airports are usually built far from anybody. The fact that people build houses next to them is not their fault.

But you're in the USA. Your population density is nothing compared to anywhere in Europe. You have masses of undeveloped locations to build airports. Here, the airports demolish villages in order to expand.

 

[trekkiedane]

Taxes don't actually help the people who have to breathe it in every day.

No, but taxes build hospitals and pay for medicine.

 

[T'Baio]

I almost constantly feel short of oxygen, I breathe very heavily, I gasp for breath a lot. I am not, however, overweight, asthmatic, otherwise unhealthy in any way (as my doctor could tell you), or a smoker. I also exercise quite a bit. There shouldn't be anything wrong with my lungs.

That's not necessarily true. There could still be all sorts of things wrong with your lungs that you're not aware of. Things that are even difficult to diagnose that have no immediate physiological presentations.

 

[Deranged Nasat]

Taxes don't actually help the people who have to breathe it in every day.

No, but taxes build hospitals and pay for medicine.

I'd rather have prevention than cure.

 

[Deranged Nasat]

I almost constantly feel short of oxygen, I breathe very heavily, I gasp for breath a lot. I am not, however, overweight, asthmatic, otherwise unhealthy in any way (as my doctor could tell you), or a smoker. I also exercise quite a bit. There shouldn't be anything wrong with my lungs.

That's not necessarily true. There could still be all sorts of things wrong with your lungs that you're not aware of. Things that are even difficult to diagnose that have no immediate physiological presentations.

Well I doubt you could claim the airport helps, even if it isn't the ultimate cause.

 

[T'Baio]

I almost constantly feel short of oxygen, I breathe very heavily, I gasp for breath a lot. I am not, however, overweight, asthmatic, otherwise unhealthy in any way (as my doctor could tell you), or a smoker. I also exercise quite a bit. There shouldn't be anything wrong with my lungs.

That's not necessarily true. There could still be all sorts of things wrong with your lungs that you're not aware of. Things that are even difficult to diagnose that have no immediate physiological presentations.

Well I doubt you could claim the airport helps, even if it isn't the ultimate cause.

That is true.

 

[John Picard]

Want to watch people scream, yell, and froth at the mouth? Start talking about how air travel should be abolished due to pollution.

 

[trekkiedane]

Taxes don't actually help the people who have to breathe it in every day.

No, but taxes build hospitals and pay for medicine.

I'd rather have prevention than cure.

Who wouldn't? Taxes could however also help with that

 

[Deranged Nasat]

Want to watch people scream, yell, and froth at the mouth? Start talking about how air travel should be abolished due to pollution.

Abolished is far too strong. Cut back significantly, yes, particularly in terms of passanger flight. I've been on a plane once (well, okay, twice- I came back ). We certainly don't need the level of air travel we do, and I think people's health is more important than whether or not spoiled rich people get an easy ride to their beach this month. *grumbles*...

 

[T'Baio]

Air travel should be banned! As should shipping lanes, they pollute the sea!

It is not a right to travel the world! You belong where you are!

 

[trekkiedane]

Air travel should be banned! As should shipping lanes, they pollute the sea!

It is not a right to travel the world! You belong where you are!

Or you could just get on a sail boat and see the world...

 

[Deranged Nasat]

Air travel should be banned! As should shipping lanes, they pollute the sea!

It is not a right to travel the world!

Well it isn't. A great many people don't. I have relatives in their twilight years who have never left the British Isles.

As for pollution, it can't be helped in terms of shipping, etc, and other activities necessary to keep our societies up and running. But until we can find clean and efficient alternatives, I'm not a fan of unnecessary over-use. We do need clean air to breathe, after all.

 

[John Picard]

Air travel should be banned! As should shipping lanes, they pollute the sea!

It is not a right to travel the world! You belong where you are!

Or you could just get on a sail boat and see the world...

I'd love to sail the Caribbean.