Banning air travel will probably deifnitely slow down further Global Warming to a certain extent, but Global temperature has been fluctuating frequently over the course of three million years, with these changes brought about by earth's natural processes such as solar radiation, volcanic eruptions, earth's orbital variation etc, The presence of gases, moisture and particulate matters determines the passage of radiations from the sun when it reaches the earth's surface. Greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, sulphur dioxide and water vapour allow solar radiation to pass reach the earth's surface but they are also particularly good at absorbing reflected outgoing terrestrial infra red radiation, resulting in a greenhouse effect leading to an increase in earth's temperature. This greenhouse effect is essential for our present biodiversity, without it global temperature is said to be 30 oC colder than present temperature.
During the last 160,000 years, the concentrations of carbon dioxide and methane in the atmosphere have been fluctuating as low as 180ppmv to 300ppmv for carbon dioxide, whilst concentration of methane varied between 0.3ppmv and 0.7ppmv. Over the last 200 years, the concentration of carbon dioxide increased to over 360ppmv and methane concentration to over 1.7mmpv. The natural sources of carbon dioxide are from terrestrial biosphere and the oceans, whilst fresh water lakes and oceans are the natural sources of natural methane. During the last two hundred years, several industrial revolutions have taken place with the world's population increasing and a greater demand for more energy. This demand has led to a greater consumption of energy; therefore more fossil fuels were burnt in order to meet the increasing demand, increasing the emissions of carbon dioxide. Other factors such as increasing cement production, land use modifications (deforestations) and derived human sources have contributed to the increase carbon dioxide concentration over the past 200 years. The human population has increased dramatically, resulting in more sewage production and the need for more landfill sites. The need for more food has led to an increase in waterlogged rice paddies in particular South East Asia, and pastoral agriculture resulting in a dramatic increase in methane concentration in the atmosphere over such a short period of time.
Other greenhouse gases such as nitrous oxide and chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) also contribute to global warming. Nitrous oxide produced from combustion of hydrocarbon fuels, ammonia based fertilisers, deforestation and biomass burning absorbs the infrared radiation. The concentration of nitrous oxide has increased from 275ppbv in the pre industrial time to 311ppbv in 1992. CFCs, even though there is only a small trace of it in the atmosphere in comparison to the other greenhouse gases, it is a very strong greenhouse gas even in small amount. The emission of CFCs increased very rapidly in the recent decade due to refrigerants, foam making, fire control agents and propellants in aerosol cans. CFCs have also caused ozone depletion contributing to the greenhouse effect.
So if you are against air travel, you ought to be against eating agricultural products if you are so concern about global warming as methane is a much more potent greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide. your existance is harming the environment as you are putting pressure on farmers to produce enough food to feed you. You sitting there, typing away and browsing this forum is unneccesary selfish "trivial entertainment" by using the electricity produced from emitting tonnes of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. There is only so much you can do for the environment right now, and slowly down the rates of deforestation and encouraging afforestation is probably our priority. Because what ever you do in this modern technoological age, you are harming the environment.
This is somewhat off topic but the United Kingdom is a developed country with quite a strong economy with low rates of poverty and people suffering from diseases and hunger, it is very hard to persuade a person from a less economically developed country to not use cars, airplanes and cutting down the forest for agriculture or selling them as hardwood. Try persuading them to be extremely eco friendly by not harming the environment at all, and to give this up for their livelihood and family. They will most likely give you the finger. It is VERY VERY hard to "prevent" global warming, as the majority of the world's population still live in "undeveloped" countries.
"I don't actually agree with banning things, but people (even, bizarrely, nature lovers like you!?), left to their own devices won't even do a minor thing like not taking a foreign holiday, even when the writings on the wall." To be honest, you cant enjoy nature in the comfort of your sofa or living room. There is only so much "nature" you can experience in UK (and in my opinion, i will probably kill myself if i had to stay in this country for my entire life). Surely by actually seeing "nature" in person yourselve in another country, you will appreciate and respect mother earth far more than staying in your own country and being completely ignorant to what is going on globally.
"About time plane travel for the common herd was banned as it probably will be one day soon, when governments stop pandering to the brainless majority"
By not travelling you are being the brainless minority being "pandered" by the media, as you will remain ignorant for the rest of your life. Sometimes you've got to see or experience some things in person to fully appreciate it.
"If you had a business meeting, or want to see relatives, use video conferencing"
I presume you dont have close relatives abroad. Many apologies if i am wrong.
I hope you dont take this too personally, i appreciate your notion behind saving the environment (and somewhat respect you if you practise what you preach), but it is rather ignorant.
Best regards
Chun
During the last 160,000 years, the concentrations of carbon dioxide and methane in the atmosphere have been fluctuating as low as 180ppmv to 300ppmv for carbon dioxide, whilst concentration of methane varied between 0.3ppmv and 0.7ppmv. Over the last 200 years, the concentration of carbon dioxide increased to over 360ppmv and methane concentration to over 1.7mmpv. The natural sources of carbon dioxide are from terrestrial biosphere and the oceans, whilst fresh water lakes and oceans are the natural sources of natural methane. During the last two hundred years, several industrial revolutions have taken place with the world's population increasing and a greater demand for more energy. This demand has led to a greater consumption of energy; therefore more fossil fuels were burnt in order to meet the increasing demand, increasing the emissions of carbon dioxide. Other factors such as increasing cement production, land use modifications (deforestations) and derived human sources have contributed to the increase carbon dioxide concentration over the past 200 years. The human population has increased dramatically, resulting in more sewage production and the need for more landfill sites. The need for more food has led to an increase in waterlogged rice paddies in particular South East Asia, and pastoral agriculture resulting in a dramatic increase in methane concentration in the atmosphere over such a short period of time.
Other greenhouse gases such as nitrous oxide and chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) also contribute to global warming. Nitrous oxide produced from combustion of hydrocarbon fuels, ammonia based fertilisers, deforestation and biomass burning absorbs the infrared radiation. The concentration of nitrous oxide has increased from 275ppbv in the pre industrial time to 311ppbv in 1992. CFCs, even though there is only a small trace of it in the atmosphere in comparison to the other greenhouse gases, it is a very strong greenhouse gas even in small amount. The emission of CFCs increased very rapidly in the recent decade due to refrigerants, foam making, fire control agents and propellants in aerosol cans. CFCs have also caused ozone depletion contributing to the greenhouse effect.
So if you are against air travel, you ought to be against eating agricultural products if you are so concern about global warming as methane is a much more potent greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide. your existance is harming the environment as you are putting pressure on farmers to produce enough food to feed you. You sitting there, typing away and browsing this forum is unneccesary selfish "trivial entertainment" by using the electricity produced from emitting tonnes of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. There is only so much you can do for the environment right now, and slowly down the rates of deforestation and encouraging afforestation is probably our priority. Because what ever you do in this modern technoological age, you are harming the environment.
This is somewhat off topic but the United Kingdom is a developed country with quite a strong economy with low rates of poverty and people suffering from diseases and hunger, it is very hard to persuade a person from a less economically developed country to not use cars, airplanes and cutting down the forest for agriculture or selling them as hardwood. Try persuading them to be extremely eco friendly by not harming the environment at all, and to give this up for their livelihood and family. They will most likely give you the finger. It is VERY VERY hard to "prevent" global warming, as the majority of the world's population still live in "undeveloped" countries.
"I don't actually agree with banning things, but people (even, bizarrely, nature lovers like you!?), left to their own devices won't even do a minor thing like not taking a foreign holiday, even when the writings on the wall." To be honest, you cant enjoy nature in the comfort of your sofa or living room. There is only so much "nature" you can experience in UK (and in my opinion, i will probably kill myself if i had to stay in this country for my entire life). Surely by actually seeing "nature" in person yourselve in another country, you will appreciate and respect mother earth far more than staying in your own country and being completely ignorant to what is going on globally.
"About time plane travel for the common herd was banned as it probably will be one day soon, when governments stop pandering to the brainless majority"
By not travelling you are being the brainless minority being "pandered" by the media, as you will remain ignorant for the rest of your life. Sometimes you've got to see or experience some things in person to fully appreciate it.
"If you had a business meeting, or want to see relatives, use video conferencing"
I presume you dont have close relatives abroad. Many apologies if i am wrong.
I hope you dont take this too personally, i appreciate your notion behind saving the environment (and somewhat respect you if you practise what you preach), but it is rather ignorant.
Best regards
Chun
