Which of the following is relevant to global warming and which is irrelevant:
1. Litres of fuel consumed per passenger per 100 km; or
2. Litres of fuel consumed by the industry in total.
LCCs are responsible for a rapid increase in fuel consumed by the industry. More planes flying.
The answer will eventually be biofuel, but the aviation industry should not be unfairly targeted for two reasons:
1. It only consumes 2% of global consumption; and
2. Unlike many other industries, alternative fuels or sources of energy cannot power aircraft.
For example, we can use wind or solar power to make hydrogen to power a car, but it cannot power an aircraft. We should direct attention to industries where solutions exist.
Aircraft seem to be easy targets because they are visible and obvious. We see them every day with those huge engines screaming and guzzling fuel. But that's just psychological. What about shipping? About 30% of global consumption I have heard. This is-called economic principle of "globalisation" is responsible for a rapid increase in shipping and associated fuel consumption.