While commercial flights are grounded due to the coronavirus lockdown, commentators are asking whether we should seize the opportunity to give up our dependency on air travel – to go cold turkey when we have no other option anyway.
Passenger flights have decreased by 95% since social distancing measures were introduced. But when the rules are relaxed, do we really need to return to our old habit of jumping on an international flight as and when it suits us? And will we want to do so, having spent several weeks if not months keeping in contact with work and family and friends by means that do not require travel, let alone air travel?
How many international business trips can be avoided by the use of video-streaming and services such as Skype? Likewise, many people who hitherto had never used software such as Zoom have during lockdown discovered the convenience (if not joy) of ‘meeting’ family and friends online. And the situation has doubtless caused countless companies and employees to realise just how many jobs can actually be done from home, if not full-time then at least partially.
Before the crisis, aviation was predicted to account for nearly a quarter of global emissions by 2050. If governments do end up bailing out airlines, Nicole Badstuber in The Guardian asks whether they should use this influence and ownership to both reduce air travel and to make what remains more environmentally friendly.
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While commercial flights are grounded due to the coronavirus lockdown, commentators are asking whether we should seize the opportunity to give up our dependency on air travel – to go cold turkey when we have no other option anyway.
Passenger flights have decreased by 95% since social distancing measures were introduced. But when the rules are relaxed, do we really need to return to our old habit of jumping on an international flight as and when it suits us? And will we want to do so, having spent several weeks if not months keeping in contact with work and family and friends by means that do not require travel, let alone air travel?
How many international business trips can be avoided by the use of video-streaming and services such as Skype? Likewise, many people who hitherto had never used software such as Zoom have during lockdown discovered the convenience (if not joy) of ‘meeting’ family and friends online. And the situation has doubtless caused countless companies and employees to realise just how many jobs can actually be done from home, if not full-time then at least partially.
Before the crisis, aviation was predicted to account for nearly a quarter of global emissions by 2050. If governments do end up bailing out airlines, Nicole Badstuber in The Guardian asks whether they should use this influence and ownership to both reduce air travel and to make what remains more environmentally friendly.