If one invention in mankind’s history has connected people and places, helped raise the standard of living for billions of people, and allowed anyone to travel the world freely, it is the modern jet airliner.
Yet environmental activists are now sprouting another offshoot of the “global warming” movement to recklessly contract and diminish this advancement in human ingenuity because they fret over aircraft as one of the most “carbon-intensive” forms of travel.
Your new word for the day is “flygskam” (pronounced: “fleeg-skam”). It is a Swedish word introduced by the nascent — still mostly European — environmental movement to “flight-shame” travelers into refraining from taking flights to lower carbon emissions.
Among the most notable to embrace the flygskam idea so far is the 16-year-old Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg.
It was Thunberg who traveled to New York this summer to address a U.N. climate summit via her 15-day trans-Atlantic sailboat passage instead of hopping on an airplane to make the likely less than 15-hour door-to-door trip.
The idea was originally backed by Olympic athlete Bjorn Ferry and gained momentum after Thunberg‘s mother, opera singer Malena Ernman, publicly announced she would stop flying, with other Swedish celebrities following suit.
Also in Europe, where the movement is still trying to get off the ground, there is even related activism, complete with its own word “tagskryt” (roughly translating to “train bragging”), where one boasts about taking trains instead of planes.
(Europeans don’t often travel the 2,500 air miles from New York to L.A., or the even farther 2,700-plus miles from Seattle to Miami — and stay within the same country. Stockholm-to-Helsinki or London-to-Paris-to-Berlin just isn’t the same.)
Understandably, the flygskam movement has hit rough air trying to catch on in the United States despite increasing notoriety in Europe.
In fact, air travel here rose 3.9% in the first five months of 2019 (while decreasing by a comparable percentage in Sweden) and global forecasts for air travel continue to rise according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
That said, while few Americans have actually heard of the European “flight shame” movement, a North American strain is already emerging.
One can already draw similarities and parallels to flygskam from American politicians — Democrats in particular — with their proposals for some sort of “Green New Deal” having more urgent and radical iterations that could drastically alter today’s expectations and ability to fly by air.
As with any human activity, flying comes with environmental costs, but these must be tallied with cost-benefit “common sense” (“sunt förnuft” in Swedish).
Airlines themselves are paradoxically textbook examples that clarify why flygskam is an overreach.
Airlines already well understand that it is in their own best interest to limit and reduce fuel consumption (and thus exhaust emissions), irrespective of any flygskam activism.
Quite simply, fuel is expensive to carry and burn. Fuel vies with labor as airlines’ biggest expense, and companies work extremely hard to find ways to reduce consumption and improve overall fuel efficiency.
Burning fuel costs money and affects their bottom line. Airlines have made an exacting science of conserving fuel and burning as little as possible for each and every flight, from short “hops” to long-haul trans-global routes.
Yet it is their business — it is their livelihood — to accommodate and move all the passengers who need and want to travel by air. There is no flygskam to be found in that goal to provide such a valuable service to their “customer” — the flying and traveling public.
Further, aircraft exhaust emissions and fuel efficiency can be only two of the many vital considerations.
A modern airliner must also be able to operate safely, make less noise, withstand tremendous weather and aerodynamic forces, have sufficient size to carry many passengers over long distances at high speeds, and dependably fly regularly with reasonable operating costs.
Within these parameters, U.S. domestic airlines will carry well over 800 million passengers annually, generate revenues exceeding $187 billion per year, employ some 700,000 people worldwide, and contribute approximately five percent of annual U.S. gross domestic product (GDP).
The world’s two largest aircraft-makers — Boeing and Airbus — have put into service many fuel-efficient planes (e.g., models of the B-787 and A-350) designed for long-haul international routes capable of fuel efficiencies rivaling a compact car for moving each passenger a comparable distance.
Engine-manufacturers, in turn, solved reliability issues so airliners can now safely fly long oceanic routes with two engines versus previous standards for three or four.
Fuel-efficient “high bypass turbofan” engines are the norm, superseding earlier far less fuel-efficient “turbojet” engines.
According to the trade organization Airlines for America, fuel efficiency has improved more than 125 percent since 1978.
That amounts to 4.6 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide eliminated — equivalent to about 25 million cars taken off the road annually. This has occurred even as more people choose to fly.
In 2016, domestic airlines, working with the U.S. government and its global partners, agreed to an even more aspirational goal of achieving a 50 percent net reduction in carbon dioxide emissions from 2005 levels by 2050.
Airlines are also working in other areas to improve fuel efficiency and halt emissions growth.
Among their initiatives are developing alternative fuels; refining both airport ground and flight operations; and better-managing air traffic, while grounding and retiring older, less fuel-efficient aircraft.
Pilots are also trained and directed to fly flight profiles that maximize fuel efficiency. Fuel loads for each route are precisely calculated because of those costs to carry unneeded fuel, while airlines carefully monitor excess seat capacity to optimize transporting passengers on fewer flights.
Finally, flight safety is at least as important as environmental concerns. Commercial air travel is the safest form of intercity transportation in the United States. Numbers tell the story; driving is more dangerous.
There are between 30,000 and 35,000 motor vehicle fatalities, along with some six million reported auto accidents, every year in the United States, compared with, on average, three commercial aviation deaths.
Train travel, while safer than automobiles, is still only the second-safest option, with the safest option flying.
No one anywhere in the world should feel any flygskam, second thoughts, or guilt over his decision to travel to his chosen destination by air today — or tomorrow.
All the given rationale for air travel should be even more compelling to a mobile population patronizing an industry with a proven record of acting responsibly without unwarranted intervention by anyone, whether it be by government or activists now trying to “shame” people for flying.
Such misplaced activism as the European “flygskam” movement should never be given “clearance for take-off” in the United States.
Read more at American Thinker
Trump has pulled America out of UNESCO because of their anti-American lies we need to dump the whole United Nations it was never created for World Peace just World Government all under them why else do the Democrats want to disarm up to abide by the UN SMALL ARMS CONTROL TREATY signed by American Traitor and Democrat John Kerry Trump has pulled America out of both the Paris Accord and UN Small Arms Control Treaty
“In 2015, world leaders agreed to 17 goals for a better world by 2030. These goals have the power to end poverty, fight inequality and address the urgency of climate change. Guided by the goals, it is now up to all of us, governments, businesses, civil society and the general public to work together to build a better future for everyone.”
https://www.globalgoals.org/
Buckle up!
2020 a super year of activism
Unprecedented effort seeks to bring together global leaders and activists
activists to make 2020 a super year of activism
activism to kickstart a decade of delivery on the Sustainable Development Goals
young leaders are driving demands for greater action, awareness and accountability from all sectors to drive much faster progress on the Goals that all nations signed up to at the United Nations
https://www.globalgoals.org/news/a-new-mobilization-begins-to-accelerate-action-for
“The Global Goals campaign would not be possible without the enlightened and generous support of our partners.”
https://www.globalgoals.org/partners
Global goals…. who’s Global goals??
In fact, our new world leaders at the UN have a vested interest in just about everything in the world.
ILO
International Labour Organization (ILO)
The International Labour Organization (ILO) was founded in 1919, its Constitution forming part of the Treaty of Versailles. The ILO became the first specialised agency of the UN in 1946.
FAO
Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
The aim of the Food and Agriculture Organization, as defined in its Constitution, is to: raise levels of nutrition and standards of living; secure improvements in food production and distribution; better the conditions of rural people and; contribute toward an expanding world economy and ensure freedom from hunger.
UNESCO
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
The UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) was established in 1945 to promote the aims set out in article 1, para. 3 of the UN Charter. Its purpose, as stated in article 1 of its Constitution, is to contribute to peace and security by promoting collaboration among nations through education, science and culture.
ICAO
International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)
The Convention on International Civil Aviation, which provided for the establishment of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), was signed in Chicago in 1944. The Organization came into existence on 4 April 1947 after 26 states had ratified the Convention. Under article 44 of the Convention, the ICAO is charged with developing the principles and techniques of international air navigation, and fostering the planning and development of international air transport to ensure the safe and orderly growth of international civil aviation throughout the world.
WHO
World Health Organization (WHO)
Representatives of 61 states adopted the World Health Organization (WHO) Constitution in 1946. The Organization formally came into existence on 7 April 1948 and became a UN specialized agency on 10 July 1948. Article 1 of the Constitution defines the WHO’s objective as “the attainment by all peoples of the highest possible level of health”. The detailed functions are set out in article 2 of the Constitution.
World Bank Group
World Bank Group (World Bank Group)
Since inception in 1944, the World Bank has expanded from a single institution to a closely associated group of five development institutions.
IMF
International Monetary Fund (IMF)
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is an organisation of 187 countries that works to foster global monetary cooperation, secure financial stability, facilitate international trade, promote high employment and sustainable economic growth, and reduce poverty.
UPU
Universal Postal Union (UPU)
The Universal Postal Union (UPU) was established by the Berne Treaty of 1874 and became a specialised agency of the UN in 1948. Article 1 of the Vienna Constitution 1964 states that the aim of the Union is to secure the organisation and improvements of postal services, promote the development of international collaboration and undertake, as far as possible, technical assistance in postal matters requested by members countries. To this end, the countries that have adopted the Constitution comprise a single postal territory.
ITU
International Telecommunication Union (ITU)
The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) was founded in 1865 in Paris as the International Telegraph Union. The 1932 Madrid Plenipotentiary Conference decided the current name, which came into force on 1 January 1934. The ITU is an inter-governmental organization that brings together governments and industry to coordinate the establishment and operation of global telecommunication networks and services.
WMO
World Meteorological Organization (WMO)
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) is the successor to the International Meteorological Organization, which was established in 1873. It formally came into existence in 1950 and became a UN specialised agency in 1951.
IMO
International Maritime Organization (IMO)
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) is the UN specialised agency responsible for the safety of life at sea, maritime security and the protection of the marine environment through prevention of sea pollution caused by ships. It facilitates cooperation among governments to achieve the highest practicable standards of maritime safety and security, and efficiency in navigation.
World Intellectual Property Organization
World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)
The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) is dedicated to developing a balanced and accessible international intellectual property (IP) system that rewards creativity, stimulates innovation and contributes to economic development while safeguarding the public interest.
IFAD
International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)
The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) is an international financial institution and UN specialised agency dedicated to eradicating poverty in rural areas of developing countries. The Fund was established in 1977 as one of the major outcomes of the 1974 World Food Conference.
UNIDO
United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO)
The UN Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) is the UN specialized agency mandated to promote industrial development and international industrial cooperation. The Organization’s mission statement is: Partner for prosperity: UNIDO aspires to reduce poverty through sustainable industrial development. we want every country to have the opportunity to grow a flourishing productive sector, to increase their participation in international trade and to safeguard their environment.
UNWTO
World Tourism Organization (UNWTO)
UNWTO is the UN’s specialised agency in the field of tourism. It provides leadership and support to the tourism sector in the advancement of sustainable policies, practices and actions. Through the promotion and development of responsible, sustainable and universally accessible tourism, UNWTO endeavours to maximise tourism’s contribution to socio-economic growth, job creation, development, environmental conservation, cultural enrichment and international understanding, while minimizing negative social or environmental impacts. It pays particular attention to the interests of developing countries.
https://www.unsystem.org/members/specialized-agencies
Aviation plays a major role in global tourism and our new world leaders at the UN also have a vested interest in the worlds tourism industry.
“The tourism industry plays an extremely important role in Europe. It contributes almost 550 billion euros to the EU’s gross domestic product and provides 11.4 million people with employment. If you also count the indirect and induced jobs, tourism actually provides 26.6 million jobs. According to forecasts that figure will continue to rise, and tourism could create 4.2 million new jobs by 2027 if the political framework is right. It is a solid and crisis-resistant sector with major corporations such as TUI as well as many SMEs and family-run businesses.”
https://www.politiklounge.com/en/agenda/december-2017/infographic
The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) is the United Nations agency responsible for the promotion of responsible, sustainable and universally accessible tourism.
http://www2.unwto.org/
Not to worry. The new world leaders at the UN have this all under control.
“Growth-related CO2 emissions will be offset by special UN-supervised climate protection projects from 2020 onwards.”
“The aviation industry’s historic climate protection undertaking In autumn 2016, all 191 countries which are members of the International Civil Aviation”
“Organisation ICAO pulled off a diplomatic coup by agreeing a global market-based measure to control CO2 emissions. ICAO’s Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) makes the aviation industry the first sector in the world tocommit to specific climate targets.”
“The TUI Group has actively supported CORSIA from the outset.”
https://www.politiklounge.com/damfiles/default/tui-politik/agenda/pdf/2017-4/en/TUI_policyAgenda_2017-4.pdf-981de0481c9e859ac21bcfe47f5f455a.pdf
I’m happy with “flygskam” because only the people who are stupid enough to buy into the climate change fraud are impacted. However, that isn’t good enough for the liberals. They think they have the one and only solution so want to force everyone to follow it.
Even though I’m a retired aerospace engineer and my father was a fighter pilot I have a fear of flying. My son is terrified of flying and yet is being forced to attend a meeting at his company’s headquarters in Finland. There are no objectives to the meeting and it is very unlikely anything will be accomplished. This is where businesses should make improvements not for the sake of carbon dioxide emissions but for efficiently using their operating budgets. A business trip has the cost of the travel, hotel, meals, often car rental, and the loss of employee’s productive work at the home location. Often times travel could be avoided by electronic meetings.
It is more economical to fly than to drive for one person, but cheaper for a family to drive. This last summer my family of six drove from Western Washington to Nebraska. There were no motel costs since we drove straight through rotating drivers.
“….where the movement is still trying to get off the ground…” – obviously, if they are serious, they won’t get very far off the ground.
And soon they will go after cars,trucks and motor bikes and then you will be restricted to staying at home watching some mindless Ecology crap on the controled TV all over this Global Warming/Climate Change scam Yes Big Green Brother will be watching you 24/7 this movement should go after Al Gore and John Travolta as well as Leonardo DiCaprio but it would,nt get them the big coverage from the New York Pravda(Times)and the Fake News Network(CNN)and the DNC and Globalists