“This second eruption threw volcanic ash several kilometres up in the atmosphere which led to air travel disruption in northwest Europe for six days from 15 April and in May 2010, including the closure of airspace over many parts of Europe,” Wikipedia writes.

And you also probably know that volcanic eruptions produces carbon dioxide. So what kind of effects did Eyjafjallajökull have on our climate? Well. Not much it seems.

“This is not the big climate changing eruption that some people seem to think it is,” said Mike Burton from Italy’s National Institute of Geophysics and Vulcanology.

“At the moment, the eruption cloud reaches around 22,000 feet (7km),” says Anja Schmidt from the School of Earth and Environment at the UK’s Leeds University. “That’s high enough to affect aviation but is unlikely to be high enough to have a strong effect on the climate system.”

Because of the mass-grounding of flights in Europe the extra CO2 produced by the volcano actually helped to lower the total amount of greenhouse gas emissions during this period. The Guardian writes:

“A larger effect on the atmosphere, though still small in global terms, comes from the mass-grounding of European flights over the past few days. According to the Environmental Transport Association, by the end of today the flight ban will have prevented the emission of some 2.8m tonnes of carbon dioxide since the first flights were grounded.

The volcanic eruption has released carbon dioxide, but the amount is dwarfed by the savings. Based on readings taken by scientists during the first phase of Eyjafjallajokull activity last month, the website Information is Beautiful calculated the volcano has emitted about 150,000 tonnes of CO2 each day.”

Richard Black from the BBC News concludes that the “eruption would not have any effect on weather and climate” and that:

“[...]its daily CO2 output was only about one-thousandth of that produced by the sum total of humanity’s fossil fuel burning, deforestation, agriculture and everything else. In fact, the extra CO2 produced from the volcano is probably less than the volume “saved” by having Europe’s aeroplanes grounded.”

So it seems the Icelandic volcano managed, if only for a few days, to reduce the impact aviation has on our climate – something which our politicians haven’t managed yet.

A third runway is proposed to be built at the Heathrow airport in the UK. Once constructed the third runway would make Heathrow to the single biggest source of greenhouse gas emissions in the UK. It’s expected that the airport would emit nearly 27 million tonnes of CO2 every year. A sum that is equivalent to the emissions of 57 of the least polluting countries in the world combined.

But the resistance against the third runway is massive, as I’ve written about before: Greenpeace, celebrities and politicians buy Heathrow land to delay third runway and Angry kids against the grownups inaction

Here in this video Emma Thompson, a British actress and Greenpeace activist, is being interviewed about her anger against the third runway. The video is about 3 months old I believe. But I think it clearly show what kind of feelings people have towards the third runway and the hypocrisy from the UK government.

Photo credit: Joshua Davis (jdavis.info)

Just as even the longest journey starts with one step, the salvation of the planet can start with one person: you. Each person that wants to be an eco- conscious traveller has to respect nature and seek for ways to reduce impact on it. That is achieved by making responsible choices and knowing well that just a few easy steps can make a big difference.

Fly nonstop: Planes burn the most fuel on takeoff and landing. That means that a long haul flight that takes you straight to your destination emits less CO2 than short haul flights. For the same destination, a long haul flight may burn up to two-thirds less CO2 than short haul flights.

Use airport restrooms: Flushing an airplane toilet at 9,144 metres above the ground uses almost a quarter of a litre of fuel- enough to drive about 9,650 metres. So you should make sure that you use the airport’s restrooms before each flight.

Don’t fly at night: according to a study by the University of Reading, clouds created by contrails trap more heat in the atmosphere at night than they do during the day. Thus flights during the day are less harmful than flights at night, concerning global warming.

Cruising: Cruising allows you to bring a lot of people into an area, without creating the environmental footprint required to house and feed them. However, large cruise ships could still be harmful to the environment if they are not new generation ships- with technology complying with the newly established strict standards, guaranteeing energy efficiency and effective waste management- and if they cruise in ports located near coral or other sensitive marine life. Thus, you should choose to travel on small cruise ships which carry less than 100 passengers. They are generally less threatening to fragile environments.

On the other hand, sailboats are the best way to go, if they are actually under sail. In general, there is room for improvement in this industry in making sure that small boats take care of wastewater responsibly.

Photo credit: saba♫dija

In the latest of his groundbreaking encounters with the figures whose decisions shape our environment, George Monbiot meets Andy Harrison, the chief executive of easyjet, and takes him to task over the budget airline’s plans for an “ecojet”, growing carbon emissions from the aviation industry and the company’s carbon offsetting scheme

Click here to watch the interview on the Guardian!

Also, take a moment to watch these interviews:
- George Monbiot meets Yvo de Boer
- Monbiot meets Fatih Birol and Shaun Spiers
- Monbiot meets the chief executive of oil giant Shell

In a genius attempt to stop the construction of a third runway at the Heathrow airport in the UK the TV impressionist Alastair McGowan has bought a piece of the Heathrow third runway site along with Emma Thompson, Zac Goldsmith and Greenpeace.

If constructed the third runway would make Heathrow UK’s single biggest source of greenhouse gas emissions. It’s expected that the airport would emit nearly 27 million tonnes of CO2 every year. A sum that is equivalent to the emissions of 57 of the least polluting countries in the world combined. But McGowan, Thompson, Goldsmith and Greenpeace hopes to stall or even stop the third runway completely by dividing up the plot to people around the world.

“The government would use its powers to issue compulsory purchase orders for the plots but lawyers said yesterday that the existence of thousands of owners would make this process time-consuming and expensive. Similar tactics have been used successfully to protect tropical forests.”

Greenpeace says they will “resist all attempts at compulsory purchase and will represent millions of people from across the world at any planning inquiry.” And that their “lawyers are now examining ways in which all of our owners can act as a legal obstacle to plans for a third runway at our busiest airport”. So far over 5000 people have signed up for a piece of the plot.

“As legal owners of this plot we will take the opportunity to oppose airport expansion at every stage in the planning process. We’re joined on the deeds by Oscar winning actress Emma Thompson, comedian Alastair McGowan and prospective Tory parliamentary candidate Zac Goldsmith. Along with Greenpeace UK, that’s the maximum number of owners we can put on the deed, but you can sign up to add your name and stand beside us to resist all attempts of a compulsory purchase of the land.

You’ll be joining beneficial owners who’ve already signed-up including local Labour MP John McDonnell, Tory frontbench spokeswoman Justine Greening, Lib Dem MP Susan Kramer, environmentalist George Monbiot and acclaimed climate scientist and Royal Society Research Fellow Dr Simon Lewis.”

Emma Thompson said: “I don’t understand how any government remotely serious about committing to reversing climate change can even consider these ridiculous plans. It’s laughably hypocritical. That’s why we’ve bought a plot on the runway. We’ll stop this from happening even if we have to move in and plant vegetables.”

“It’s a very good time to enter the property market. If BAA want my patch they will have to negotiate with me – and why would I want to sell it to them?” said Kramer.

McGowan said: “The government is sticking two fingers up to the environment and the people of this world. By giving this runway the go-ahead Gordon Brown is effectively holding a giant blow torch to the polar ice-caps and saying ‘Melt, Melt !’”

If you want your very own piece of the land you can sign up here.

Here comedian Alastair McGowan explains why he joined the Airplot to stop Heathrow expansion:

Conservative Party green advisor Zac Goldsmith explains why he’s part of Airplot, a group who’ve bought land in the middle of Heathrow airport’s proposed 3rd runway, and who say they will never sell it to BAA or allow the airport operator’s bulldozers onto their site:

The Swedish climate group Klimax (climax), known in Sweden for their campaigns against private motorism, aviation and the meat industry, have been putting up stickers with the text “Flying Kills” on advertisements from different aviation companies.

The stickers are meant to resemble the stickers you can find on cigarette packages warning the buyer of the dangers the cigarettes will cause.

With texts such as “Flying Kills” and “Flying will lead to climate chaos” the guerrilla campaign is a smart initiative that surely will make some people stop and think.

Simon Retallack, from the UK Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR), likes the idea of putting warning labels on adverts for flights, holidays and cars.

We know that smokers notice health warnings on cigarettes, and we have to tackle our addiction to flying in the same way.

But if we are to change people’s behaviour, warnings must be accompanied by offering people alternatives to short-haul flights and by steps to make the cost of flying better reflect its impact on the environment.

Simon Retallack wants higher air fares, including carbon offset charges. And any passenger unwilling to contribute should “be forced to actively opt out”.

Remember my old post about airships – the rebirth of aviation? Maybe you thought I was a complete tree-hugger lunatic that proposed airships as a greener and better option besides today’s polluting planes?

Well, here is further evidence that Airships is to play a big part in the future of aviation. EcoGeek lists three different airships that, as it seems, have a very bright future ahead of them.

The EcoGeek talks about the Aeroscraft – a commercial transport for tourists, the SkyCat – made for shipping and finally the SkyFreighter – who is (just like its name) focused on shipping large cargo.

As a person and consumer you have the power to do something about climate change. Never forget or think otherwise. Sure you may wonder how much you’ll actually help by replacing your CFLs, recycling etc but in the end all small things path up to something bigger and more meaningful, especially when many join in.

This is part two of a series of posts explaining and giving advice on what you can do to combat climate change from your home, in the store, when you travel and on your spare time. All the things listed are easy to do, some things will take a little longer, but most of them will help save you money (besides all the positive effects on our earth).

Going somewhere?

Ditch the car
Leave your gas-guzzling car home. Instead you should take the bike, walk or use public transport on your way to work. If you choose the bike or the walk option you won’t need to buy an expensive gym card. If you choose public transportation you can spend the time (when someone else is doing the work driving) by doing something useful, like your homework’s, reading a book or just take a quick nap.

Sharing is Caring!
If you have to use your car use a car pool instead. Don’t forget to change driver now and then so no one feels bad. Think about all the new friends you will make and all neighbours you will “finally” get to know better.

A car won’t make anything bigger (except your CO2 emissions)
If you rarely use a car don’t buy one. Rent a car when you need one instead. If you must have a car buy a “green” car that is smaller and uses less fuel.

Eco-Drive it
Maybe a course in eco-driving could be something for you? When possible try to lower your speed and try to drive as smoothly as possible.

Shut it off and feel all warm inside…
Shut off your air conditioner when you don’t need it. You will save fuel and your car will be much faster if it’s turned off.

Wash it rarely and properly
Is your car really that dirty? An ordinary carwash releases about 400 litres of water polluted with all kinds of bad things.

Just say NO
Avoid taking the plane, anywhere, especially when you are only going to travel nationally. Instead you should take the train, boat or even the car before you think of taking the plane.

Image credit: Jeff Kubina. Image licensed under a
Creative-Commons Attribution-Share Alike license.

Aviation is the fastest growing cause of climate change, it destroys ancient forests and woodland, wiping established communities off the map and airport expansions destroys important heritage sites and causes illegal levels of nitrous oxide pollution. Today’s aviation industry is unquestionably an awful way of transporting people and goods.

With a well funded public transportation system nationally and globally most flights can stay on the ground, especially the domestic flights. In a global perspective high-speed railways can easily connect and transport people between different countries fast, easy and cheap.

Europe is an excellent example where this can easily be implemented. Swissmetro, a huge railroad project in Europe is already taking form. The idea is that high-speed trains will travel across Europe with a speed of over 500 kilometres per hour in tunnels and tubes, similar to small subway systems in large cities.

If you want, you can with today’s technology build a railroad tunnel under the water in the Atlantic Ocean. It will then be possible to travel between London and New York with high-speed trains in less than two hours.

But of course railroads doesn’t work everywhere. This is where airships come in. The Forum for the future, FFF, has launched aproject that shows how we can live in 2022 in a much more environmental friendly way than we do today. One of the many ideas presented is airships.

According to FFF airships emits about 80% – 90% less carbon dioxide than a jet aeroplane. The airships would also be much more pleasant to travel in than today’s flights:

On holiday routes, passengers are treated to 360 degree views, a lounge area, gym, restaurant and bar. For business passengers, airships are equipped with open-plan office space and state-of-the-art virtual windows, so that they can have meetings with people anywhere in the world, and carry on working efficiently and comfortably throughout the journey.

George Monbiot, an environmental and political activist in the United Kingdom, has praised airships and says it will take less than 48 hours to travel between London and New York with an airship.

So, as you can see, we have all the technology and knowledge we need. We just need political and financial will to see the world and all the different options we have in a new, more modern, greener light.