Is Aviation’s Growth Worth The Cost To Our Planet?

A Boeing 747 releasing pollutants while taking off.

Aviation is critical to modern life, from tourism, shipments, and connecting with others, it provides a fast pathway of communication around the world that millions of people rely on. This transportation improves the lives of families and access to education, and the economy relies on it for imports and exports. Unfortunately, aviation vessels dispense harmful toxins into the air, create waste that damages the environment, and contribute to global warming. As our population grows, our need for efficient aviation will as well, and sustainability in the field will become more important than ever.

Physical waste is produced by the aviation industry every year, creating materials that take years to break down and clog ecosystems. Just the maintenance of flights produces 6 million tons of waste on average every year, including passenger, cabin, and plane maintenance crews. Small plastics and mechanical equipment build up within millions of aircraft, and small uses become big impacts. Some types of waste are even produced on a large scale, such as aircraft fluids, de-icing fluids, and technology. Aircraft fluids such as oils and hydraulics are important for well-functioning systems but are still hazardous to the environment. De-icing fluids are even worse—although they protect aircraft wings from icing over, if fluids such as propylene are not disposed of correctly, the impact on water quality would be severe, polluting natural streams and drinking water. Aside from fluids that maintain flights, material and technology waste are found everywhere, from the manufacturing of the aircraft to abandoned or disposed of ones that are no longer of use. A singular aircraft only lasts about 30 years before becoming decommissioned. Once an airplane is retired, proper recycling methods must be used in order to prevent additions to landfills and toxins from entering natural habitats.

Beyond just physical waste, aviation can emit dangerous toxins into the air. The aviation industry itself contributes to nearly 3% of the world’s carbon emissions, and with almost 8.2 billion passengers per year, the rate of emissions is bound to go up. Currently, fossil fuels are often burned in large amounts to fulfill the needs of the aviation industry, but increased carbon dioxide can build up in the Earth’s atmosphere and worsen global warming. If temperatures rise, we lose glaciers, habitats for multiple species, and face higher sea levels and changed ecosystems. Aside from just carbon dioxide, aviation also creates nitrate and sulfate oxides through jet engines, and these are found particularly dense near populated and urban areas where most airports are. The increase of these toxins worsens air quality, and in some situations can even cause acid rain. Studies by health and research scientists have found these toxins to be directly linked to multiple respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, such as asthma. This shows how aviation not only affects the environment but also human health and communities.

Luckily, multiple environmental sustainability initiatives and programs are already on track to find new technologies and ways to reduce the harsh impacts of the aviation industry. They aim to lower carbon dioxide and toxin emissions, improve fuel sources, and innovate clean aerospace technologies. CORSIA, WWF, and the Clean Air Act are just a few of the organizations that are pushing for alternative ways to power engines, in an attempt to reduce the reliance on burning fossil fuels. SAFs are the most commonly pushed sustainable alternative, composed of fats, oils, and even solid waste. Compared to the regular fossil fuels used, these can significantly slow global warming and reduce air pollution over time, while still being efficient and strong enough to power aircraft.

The Mary W. Jackson NASA headquarters.

Another factor that sustainability initiatives are pushing for is advanced technology that can support efficient energy usage, storage, and better infrastructure. Today’s aircraft require almost 620 megatons of fuel, and the method in which it is consumed is highly inefficient and energy absorbing. To combat this, companies like NASA are working on aircraft components that consume less energy and have lower lifecycle emissions. In fact, just the liftoff of an aircraft itself can consume a significant amount of energy. Therefore, by reworking flight paths, using energy-efficient technology, and making aircraft more aerodynamic, we can reduce initial energy consumption and save power for longer flights.

Aviation is one of the most important industries in today’s world, but its environmental impacts are important to consider as it continues to grow. Physical waste, air pollutants, global warming, and cleaner technology all need funding and public interest in order to develop. Without government assistance and public pressure, aviation could be one of the causes for the loss of millions of habitats, species, and lives. By continuing to advocate for changes and innovation in aviation, the Earth and humans can all benefit from the discoveries and opportunities aviation has to offer.