Flying beyond our means – air travel and the environment
Further reading
August 2010
The Science of Climate change: Questions and Answers
A document summarising the current understanding of climate change science for non-specialist readers.
September 2008, page 12
Aircraft emissions lowered
Reports on Australian research that shows aircraft emissions can be substantially reduced by adapting flight paths.
18 January 2010
Aviation biofuel to grow from saltwater farms (by Wilson da Silva)
Reports on a trial that will use saltwater aquaculture integrated with culture of salt-tolerant plants for biofuel production.
No. 136, 2007, pages 8-9
Would you pay to offset your air travel emissions? (by Gillian Kendall)
Examines carbon offsets as a means to reduce the environmental impact of air travel.
No. 123, 2005, pages 15-17
Air transport impacts take off (by Steve Davidson)
Explains that the growth of the aviation industry has environmental consequences.
Autumn 2008, pages 86-88
Turning the skies green (by Tony Grist)
Looks at changes to the airline industry and their environmental impacts.
16 September 2009, pages 328-329
Wonder weed plans fail to flourish (by Katharine Sanderson)
Looks at the limitations of growing Jatropha for biofuel.
14 May 2008
Flights of green fancy (by Katherine Sanderson)
Details research and technology designed to reduce the environmental impact of aircraft.
8 June 2009
Train can be worse for climate than plane (by Catherine Brahic)
Reviews the findings of a study that examined the life-cycle emissions of different types of transport.
13 August 2008, pages 34-37
Green fuel for the airline industry (by David Strahan)
Examines the need for and the development of suitable biofuels for aviation.
2 July 2008, page 6
Air travel in the tropics is worse for climate
Explains that nitrogen oxide emissions from aviation have a greater effect on global warming in tropical regions.
22 February 2007, pages 32-38
Green sky thinking: Eight ways to a cleaner flying future (by Bennett Daviss)
Investigates ways the environmental impact of aviation can be reduced.
5 December 2008
Resuscitating the atomic airplane: Flying on a wing and an isotope (by Karen A. Frenkel)
Evaluates the use of nuclear powered planes to reduce the environmental impacts of flying.
3 October 2008
Using plants instead of petroleum to make jet fuel (by David Biello)
Describes the production of biofuel that is suitable for aviation.
14 January 2008
Wild green yonder: Flying the environmentally friendly skies on alternative fuels (by David Biello)
Describes research into alternatives to petroleum-derived jet fuel.
June 2007, pages 9-10
Green gold in a shrub (by Rebecca Renner)
Reviews the potential of Jatropha as a source for biofuel.
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Page updated April 2010.