James, I agree with you to a certain extent, but I have to reiterate that aviation emissions are a mere drop in the ocean when you compare them to the power generation industry, motor vehicles, domestic housing and international shipping.
Of that group of four, the two most polluting (and by pollution I refer to air quality and inefficiency NOT CO2) are certainly motor vehicles and power generation. These two industries already have at their disposal technologies that could effectively halve their environmental impact, however for many, it is far easier to point the finger at perceived luxuries aka "air travel" than it is to address the issues surrounding options such as nuclear power generation (take a look at how the French do it), and the emerging hydrogen fuel cell vehicles.
Technology, rather than banging on about "changing our ways
" is the way forward.