Aviation campaign hots up

Had enough ?

The issue of aviation is hotting up. There is more and more publicity in the press, more and more debate around the country, more actions and demonstrations.

One of the reasons is the realisation that air travel threatens to wreck attempts to address climate change. But the other impacts also become more apparent daily and the depth of the industry and government resistance to action and their dishonesty become evermore clear.

A few examples of what's been going on.

On the day before posting this article, the Guardian reported the highest ever figures for air travel. A year or so ago, it would have been most unlikely that the headlines would have been about the climate implications.

Outspoken ‘adverts’ have appeared in the national press, the latest being one timed for the local elections outside London.

At the same time Ryanair are filing a complaint with the Advertising Standards Agency (ASA). They are furious with Virgin for taking out adverts that say trains produce far less greenhouse gases than aircraft (which they do). A few weeks ago, Ryanair were themselves found guilty by the ASA for misleading the public on their own emissions.

Nearer to Heathrow, local MP Ann Keen held a public meeting on climate change. The biggest news was a demonstration outside the meeting by residents and political parties, protesting at her support for Heathrow expansion with its climatic impact.

West London MPs Andrew Slaughter and Karen Buck also hosted a public meeting on climate change. They had a minister to speak who was exposed on the issue of aviation and climate change.

There have been ‘direct actions'; such as the high-jacking of the Transport Minister at Chatham House and the ‘revolving doors’ action at BAA.

Meanwhile the government is proposing a climate bill that omits aviation, the already contributing 13% of the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions (parliamentary answer) and the fastest growing sector.

At the same time, the government is making changes to the planning system to remove the right of local people to challenge airport expansion.

Ordinary people, tired of being ignored, tired of having their time wasted with phoney consultations and frustrated by lack of options to use their vote effectively, are turning to other forms of action and are beginning to be heard.

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(May 07)