For Greener Skies

For Greener Skies
Author: National Research Council
Publisher: National Academies Press
Total Pages: 71
Release: 2002-04-24
Genre: Technology & Engineering
ISBN: 0309169631

Each new generation of commercial aircraft produces less noise and fewer emissions per passenger-kilometer (or ton-kilometer of cargo) than the previous generation. However, the demand for air transportation services grows so quickly that total aircraft noise and emissions continue to increase. Meanwhile, federal, state, and local noise and air quality standards in the United States and overseas have become more stringent. It is becoming more difficult to reconcile public demand for inexpensive, easily accessible air transportation services with concurrent desires to reduce noise, improve local air quality, and protect the global environment against climate change and depletion of stratospheric ozone. This situation calls for federal leadership and strong action from industry and government. U.S. government, industry, and universities conduct research and develop technology that could help reduce aircraft noise and emissions-but only if the results are used to improve operational systems or standards. For example, the (now terminated) Advanced Subsonic Technology Program of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) generally brought new technology only to the point where a system, subsystem model, or prototype was demonstrated or could be validated in a relevant environment. Completing the maturation process-by fielding affordable, proven, commercially available systems for installation on new or modified aircraft-was left to industry and generally took place only if industry had an economic or regulatory incentive to make the necessary investment. In response to this situation, the Federal Aviation Administration, NASA, and the Environmental Protection Agency, asked the Aeronautics and Space Engineering Board of the National Research Council to recommend research strategies and approaches that would further efforts to mitigate the environmental effects (i.e., noise and emissions) of aviation. The statement of task required the Committee on Aeronautics Research and Technology for Environmental Compatibility to assess whether existing research policies and programs are likely to foster the technological improvements needed to ensure that environmental constraints do not become a significant barrier to growth of the aviation sector.

Commercial Aircraft Propulsion and Energy Systems Research

Commercial Aircraft Propulsion and Energy Systems Research
Author: National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine
Publisher: National Academies Press
Total Pages: 123
Release: 2016-08-09
Genre: Technology & Engineering
ISBN: 0309440998

The primary human activities that release carbon dioxide (CO2) into the atmosphere are the combustion of fossil fuels (coal, natural gas, and oil) to generate electricity, the provision of energy for transportation, and as a consequence of some industrial processes. Although aviation CO2 emissions only make up approximately 2.0 to 2.5 percent of total global annual CO2 emissions, research to reduce CO2 emissions is urgent because (1) such reductions may be legislated even as commercial air travel grows, (2) because it takes new technology a long time to propagate into and through the aviation fleet, and (3) because of the ongoing impact of global CO2 emissions. Commercial Aircraft Propulsion and Energy Systems Research develops a national research agenda for reducing CO2 emissions from commercial aviation. This report focuses on propulsion and energy technologies for reducing carbon emissions from large, commercial aircraftâ€" single-aisle and twin-aisle aircraft that carry 100 or more passengersâ€"because such aircraft account for more than 90 percent of global emissions from commercial aircraft. Moreover, while smaller aircraft also emit CO2, they make only a minor contribution to global emissions, and many technologies that reduce CO2 emissions for large aircraft also apply to smaller aircraft. As commercial aviation continues to grow in terms of revenue-passenger miles and cargo ton miles, CO2 emissions are expected to increase. To reduce the contribution of aviation to climate change, it is essential to improve the effectiveness of ongoing efforts to reduce emissions and initiate research into new approaches.

Aviation and the Global Atmosphere

Aviation and the Global Atmosphere
Author: Joyce E. Penner
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Total Pages: 392
Release: 1999-06-28
Genre: Science
ISBN: 9780521663007

This Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Special Report is the most comprehensive assessment available on the effects of aviation on the global atmosphere. The report considers all the gases and particles emitted by aircraft that modify the chemical properties of the atmosphere, leading to changes in radiative properties and climate change, and modification of the ozone layer, leading to changes in ultraviolet radiation reaching the Earth. This volume provides accurate, unbiased, policy-relevant information and is designed to serve the aviation industry and the expert and policymaking communities.

Aircraft Design for Reduced Climate Impact

Aircraft Design for Reduced Climate Impact
Author: Emily Dallara
Publisher: Stanford University
Total Pages: 174
Release: 2011
Genre:
ISBN:

Aircraft affect global climate through emissions of greenhouse gases and their precursors and by altering cirrus cloudiness. Changes in operations and design of future aircraft may be necessary to meet goals for limiting climate change. One method for reducing climate impacts involves designing aircraft to fly at altitudes where the impacts of NOx emissions are less severe and persistent contrail formation is less likely. By considering these altitude effects and additionally applying climate mitigation technologies, impacts can be reduced by 45-70% with simultaneous savings in total operating costs. Uncertainty is assessed, demonstrating that relative climate impact savings can be expected despite large scientific uncertainties. Strategies for improving climate performance of existing aircraft are also explored, revealing potential climate impact savings of 20-40%, traded for a 2% increase in total operating costs and reduced maximum range.

Aviation Systems

Aviation Systems
Author: Andreas Wittmer
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages: 247
Release: 2011-08-17
Genre: Political Science
ISBN: 364220080X

This book aims to provide comprehensive coverage of the field of air transportation, giving attention to all major aspects, such as aviation regulation, economics, management and strategy. The book approaches aviation as an interrelated economic system and in so doing presents the “big picture” of aviation in the market economy. It explains the linkages between domains such as politics, society, technology, economy, ecology, regulation and how these influence each other. Examples of airports and airlines, and case studies in each chapter support the application-oriented approach. Students and researchers in business administration with a focus on the aviation industry, as well as professionals in the industry looking to refresh or broaden their knowledge of the field will benefit from this book.

Climate Change and Aviation

Climate Change and Aviation
Author: Stefan Gossling
Publisher: Routledge
Total Pages: 410
Release: 2012-05-04
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 1136569669

'This is a timely, challenging and fascinating book on a topic of central importance to the success or otherwise of our climate change policies. It sets down a clear marker for what has to be done in the aviation sector.' Professor John Whitelegg, Stockholm Environment Institute, University of York, UK 'Climate Change and Aviation presents a clear picture of the transport sector's greatest challenge: how to reconcile aviation's immense popularity with its considerable environmental damage and its dependence on liquid hydrocarbon energy sources. This book avoids wishful thinking and takes the much harder, but more productive, path of considering difficult solutions that clash with short-term and short-sighted expectations about the unlimited growth potential for flying.' Professor Anthony Perl, Urban Studies Program, Simon Fraser University, Canada 'A convincing and timely collection that brings together an impressive range of expertise. The book integrates various perspectives into a powerful core argument - we must do something, and quickly, to tackle the impact of aviation on our environment. The authors recognise the political difficulties associated with promoting change but present constructive options for policy makers. Required reading, especially for transport ministers set on promoting the growth of air travel.' Professor Jon Shaw, Director of the Centre for Sustainable Transport, University of Plymouth, UK Trends such as the massive growth in availability of air travel and air freight are among those which have led to aviation becoming one of the fastest growing emitters of greenhouse gases. These trends have also caused a shift in expectations of how we do business, where we go on holiday, and what food and goods we can buy. For these reasons aviation is (and is set to stay) high up on global political, organizational and media agendas. This textbook is the first to attempt a comprehensive review of the topic, bringing together an international team of leading scientists. Starting with the science of the environmental issues, it moves on to cover drivers and trends of growth, socio-economics and politics, as well as mitigation options, the result being a broad yet detailed examination of the field. This is essential reading for undergraduate and postgraduate courses in transport, tourism, the environment, geography and beyond, while also being a valuable resource for professionals and policymakers seeking a clear understanding of this complex yet urgently pressing issue.

Hidden Costs of Energy

Hidden Costs of Energy
Author: National Research Council
Publisher: National Academies Press
Total Pages: 506
Release: 2010-05-26
Genre: Science
ISBN: 0309155800

Despite the many benefits of energy, most of which are reflected in energy market prices, the production, distribution, and use of energy causes negative effects. Many of these negative effects are not reflected in energy market prices. When market failures like this occur, there may be a case for government interventions in the form of regulations, taxes, fees, tradable permits, or other instruments that will motivate recognition of these external or hidden costs. The Hidden Costs of Energy defines and evaluates key external costs and benefits that are associated with the production, distribution, and use of energy, but are not reflected in market prices. The damage estimates presented are substantial and reflect damages from air pollution associated with electricity generation, motor vehicle transportation, and heat generation. The book also considers other effects not quantified in dollar amounts, such as damages from climate change, effects of some air pollutants such as mercury, and risks to national security. While not a comprehensive guide to policy, this analysis indicates that major initiatives to further reduce other emissions, improve energy efficiency, or shift to a cleaner electricity generating mix could substantially reduce the damages of external effects. A first step in minimizing the adverse consequences of new energy technologies is to better understand these external effects and damages. The Hidden Costs of Energy will therefore be a vital informational tool for government policy makers, scientists, and economists in even the earliest stages of research and development on energy technologies.

Air Transport and the Environment

Air Transport and the Environment
Author: Dr Ben Daley
Publisher: Ashgate Publishing, Ltd.
Total Pages: 403
Release: 2012-10-01
Genre: Technology & Engineering
ISBN: 1409486478

Air Transport and the Environment provides an overview of the main issues relating to aviation environmental impacts. It explains the challenge facing policymakers in terms of sustainable development, focusing on the importance of balancing the industry's economic, social and environmental costs and benefits, both for people living now and for future generations. Individual chapters review the current scientific understanding of the main aviation environmental impacts: climate change, local air pollution and aircraft noise. Various responses to those issues are also considered, including a range of policy options based on regulatory, market-based and voluntary approaches. Key concepts such as environmental capacity, radiative forcing and carbon offsetting are explained. In addition, the book emphasises the main implications of aviation environmental issues for policymakers and for the management of the air transport industry. Debates about the environmental impacts of flying often generate strongly polarised reactions, yet this book adopts a constructive approach to the subject and attempts to present the environmental issues in a clear, straightforward manner. It aims to provide a policy-relevant synthesis of a wide range of perspectives rather than advocating one particular viewpoint. Yet the central purpose of this book is to bring the sustainable development challenge facing the air transport industry to the fore, and so to inform effective policy responses. Air transport plays a critical role in supporting economies and societies that are increasingly interconnected by globalisation; this book presents the view that the vital economic and social benefits of the air transport industry should not be lost - and in fact could be distributed far more widely and equitably - but that the environmental impacts of air transport nevertheless require urgent and effective management. Air Transport and the Environment has been written primarily for professionals in the air transport industry, policymakers and regulators. It is also intended for use by academic researchers, students and others who are interested in the complex relationship between air transport and the environment.