Fly green = fly less

Letter from Marianne Maes, Today Online 22 Feb 08;

I REFER to the article, "Green way to fly" (Feb 18).

It is commendable that airline companies now have an eye on the environment and that they are offering green options for passengers to reduce their carbon footprints.

However, this is more of a passive move than an active one. Instead, customers should be persuaded to fly less often.

Globalisation has resulted in more air travel even though advancements in communication technology have allowed people to communicate more easily online or through video- conferencing.

Too often, people fly all over the world just to attend mundane meetings because many corporations regard air travel as a convenience at their beck and call, without considering the ramifications of their action on the environment.

Why can't a simple video conference suffice?

While airlines have begun to understand the need to address the environmental impact caused by the aviation industry, passengers too, should be informed and educated on how to travel prudently.

Air travel is extremely common these days and the amount of carbon emissions to the atmosphere caused by the millions of planes cannot be ignored.

Policy-makers need to focus on this problem quickly before it is too late.