Slowing Down for a Greener Future: Scientists Propose 15% Reduction in Flight Speeds to Combat Climate Change
In an unexpected turn of events for the aviation industry, scientists from the University of Cambridge have put forth a compelling argument suggesting that reducing flight speeds by 15% could significantly mitigate the environmental impact of air travel. This proposal, detailed in a recent report, indicates that such a change could lead to a reduction in fuel consumption by 5% to 7%, contributing to a greener aviation sector while potentially adding up to 50 minutes to transatlantic flights.
The aviation industry is responsible for approximately 2.5% of global carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. When accounting for non-CO2 effects, this figure rises to around 4%, highlighting the need for immediate action as air travel becomes increasingly accessible. Currently, only about 10% of the global...