I love flying. I want to be a pilot since I’m young. I grew up in Chichester, West Sussex, at the bottom of a flying path used by Gatwick airports, and used to see while they watched the sky. In 2019, once I was qualified to be a plane pilot, I started working for Easyjet. Aviation connected to me with my extended Canadian family, reveals me different cultures and gives me an unforgettable career. But on November 2022, I handed my card to the airport ID last time. I grew up worrying about the impact of our planet’s industry and, sad, I know that my climate climate worries my mental health.
However no longer work in the industry, my love of aviation has driven me to protect our ability to fly for future generations. It encourages me to solve uncomfortable realities and decisions to face today in our industry. Everyone knows that Aviation has a strict problem of exit. In 2022, the UK domestic and international trips produce 29.6m tons of co2 The equivalent emissions, recounts for about 7% of the General Generation Gas Generation. This is expected to increase in 11% of 2030Because while other decarbonising sectors, aviation releases remain strong or even mandatory.
But the problems of the emission from a larger problem. A report viewed targets reduced emissions and targets of individual aviation companies over the past 25 years; All but one miss and quietly left. The industry knows that it is a huge contributor to the climate crisis, but decisions are made within power structures and processes failing to solve these problems.
Airplanes fought each other in a profit. They repeat the governments to avoid the steps we need to reduce emissions and protect the industry for a long time. Meanwhile, governments have slightly done to regulate this aspect of the industry. The same moment’s mental is shown by unions that support the expansion of the airport on a journey to protect jobs and living. History unions have become a very good job of challenging owners to pay deals and terms and conditions. But in the aviation industry, the unions are guilty of the same short thinking as owners.
There are many ideas on how we can create an aviation industry suitable for the future, starting with an unrealized budget of the total amount of greenhouse gas and carbon dioxide aviation can make. We also need aviation to pay the equivalent part of the tax (now, the fuel free). The government can introduce a constant flyer levy, so those who use aviation most (ie the very rich) pay the research fund and development of low-carbon technologies. In the future, a long journey can contain many, slow hops in a small carbon hybrid electric aircraft, while fewer planes.
The problem is not a lack of options. The industry is full of more skilled and motivated people who want to do good in the world. This industry has suffered an imagination crisis. There are two dominant visions for the future of Aviation, by which one comes from. Industry leaders want to be eternal growth, trust in technologies in conjecture and Unavailable carbon extraction. Climate activists and advocates want to be a quick reduction in air travel. While aviation workers often see the right vision, the latter will never inspire.
I am determined to do something about it, so in the spring I have participated in a safe landing, a community of aviation workers who want the industry better for climate. We’re running Assemblies to workers inviting aviation workers to grapple with these issues most politically neglected. We want it to serve as an example of the government and unions, which can provide their own assemblies so that workers are a voice how our industry changes. One of the most destructive ways to solve the climate crisis by pressing people’s policies. Workers’ assemblies can be bridgeed by social divisions, give people the will and control their life, and rebuild political trust.
There are many ideas on how we can improve the future of flying. But first, we need to get the heart with the power problem and start making decisions different, as an industry and as a country. Assemblies to workers should be part of the answer.
George Hibberd is a former plane pilot and is currently employed by aviation workers in a safe landing to run the workers’ assemblies. She appeared with the companion pilot Todd Smith On the Documentary trip to Guardian
