The environmental impact of air travel is a significant concern in the context of deteriorating air quality and finite fuel resources. Some people suggest that aviation should be limited given that it not only causes air pollution but also consumes a great amount of fossil fuels. However, I firmly disagree with this proposed restriction because it is neither practical nor effective to address these problems.
Admittedly, restricting air travel can directly mitigate the environmental impact caused by jet engines. One of the most serious problems of airplanes is that they contribute to global climate change, since they primarily rely on fossil fuels, which release greenhouse gases when burned, such as carbon dioxide. To make matters worse, most jet emissions are released at high altitudes, leading to a more noticeable warming effect. It is reasonable to believe that we can emit less by simply flying less.
However, this approach may overlook the essential role that air travel plays in modern transport. Air transport has grown steadily year on year in many industries ranging from international trades to tourism, driving global economic growth and facilitating long-distance travel. There is often no substitute for airplanes in terms of convenience and efficiency, especially for long-haul journeys. Restriction on air travel means significant costs on both economically critical industries and people’s lives. Meanwhile, as the demand for travel still exists, people have to use alternative transport such as trains, trucks and cars if aviation is limited, which still causes emissions and mostly burns fossil fuels.
Furthermore, the key to the issue in the long run is the sustainability of energy rather than the amount of air travel. Merely reducing the amount of air travel could not help with altering jet fuels or improving energy efficiency per jet engine. Therefore, a better approach is the use of alternative energy, such as biomass energy and solar power batteries as well as upgrading aircraft design for higher energy efficiency, allowing people to retain the benefits of air travel without polluting the environment.
In conclusion, despite the urgent need to reduce pollution caused by air travel, restriction on it is far from an ideal solution not only because it means considerable costs in economy and inconvenience in travel, but also because it only focuses on immediate effects while neglecting the long-term goal – more sustainable energy and greener aircrafts.