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WHY ARE COUNCILS CONSIDERING SUPPORT FOR IRRESPONSIBLE BUSINESSES? |
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 26th June 2007
Cllr Philip Booth writes again to press re Staverton airport expansion: "The science is clear. We cannot countenance any further expansion of aviation."
Photo: Last summers' demonstration against Staverton airport's expansion
Letter to the Editor:
Aviation enthusiast Roger Daniels claims the extension of runway will benefit Gloucester and Cheltenham and Staverton airport chiefs claim increasing flights to EU destinations will mean more efficient business jets (23/06/07).
Growth in flights cannot be sustainable however you look at it. Aircraft are amongst the most CO2 intensive methods of travel and CO2 emitted at altitude increases global warming by up to a factor of four. If aviation is allowed to grow at current projections it will account for all permitted greenhouse gas emissions - across all sectors - by 2045.
The article claims this expansion will benefit our local businesses and economy yet responsible businesses are looking to reduce their flying by video conferencing and other methods. Why are local councils even considering supporting irresponsible businesses? They are signed up to cut emissions - it is time they took that seriously. Already the people who are being hit hardest by climate change are among the poorest on earth: to make the situation worse is unjust in the extreme.
As I've asked repeatedly, why should this airport be allowed to increase its CO2 emissions, when every other business in Gloucestershire is being told to cut theirs significantly? The science is clear. We cannot countenance any further expansion of aviation.
Cllr. Philip Booth, Stroud District Green Party.
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