But although air traffic can be considerably more polluting than cars, it is given billions of pounds in tax breaks and support by the Government.
It has been estimated that tax exemptions, subsidies and other financial assistance are worth almost £9 billion annually to the aviation industry. Breaks include zero tax on aviation fuel and zero VAT on air travel.
But although fleets may point to air travel as a major source of pollution that should be tackled instead of cars, Roger Higman, senior campaigner for Friends of the Earth, said everybody should play a part in helping the environment.
He said: 'Other areas may be bad or even worse, but we won't achieve anything by ignoring the part we have to play in helping the environment. We should dwell on the part we have to play.'
Campaigners such as Friends of the Earth are calling for everyone to put the environment first as new research claims that global warming could actually plunge Britain into a new ice age.
Rising temperatures could 'switch off' the Gulf Stream that effectively heats up Britain, with worst-case scenarios saying it could happen in 20 years. The result would be plunging temperatures and a climate similar to Alaska, with snow on the ground for 100 days a year, paralysing industry and transport.
Login to comment
Comments
No comments have been made yet.