Flying

Using scare tactics in advertisements seems to be an increasingly popular approach for some groups working to solve the climate crisis, but I'm not entirely convinced that frightening images are the best way to encourage people to take action, and in some cases they may sour some people from discussing important issues.

Plane Stupid, a British organization that aims to limit air travel, has created a new promotional film featuring polar bears dropping from the sky, an attempt to remind viewers of the large amount of greenhouse gases created by airplanes. The group explains: "An average European flight produces over 400 kg. of greenhouse gases for every passenger. That's the weight of an adult polar bear." More

Afraid to fly? Your phone might be able to help. Virgin Atlantic is introducing an IPhone app to help customers who are afraid to fly. The app includes a video-based in-flight explanation of a flight, frequently asked questions, relaxation exercises and a fear attack button for emergencies with breathing exercises. Richard Branson, president of Virgin Atlantic, said in a statement "the app will put many travelers at ease and enable them to prepare for their first Virgin Atlantic flight."

The app is part of Virgin's Flying Without Fear program aimed at helping customers deal with, as Virgin’s website explains it, "those strange noises that an airplane makes, turbulence" and helps people cope with "claustrophobia, panic attacks, anxiety, or the fear of losing control."

Greetings from the air! I'm currently on an airplane and flying back to Ohio for some relaxation and to write a new movie. It is weird being online so high up!

I thought while in the air I would remind everyone that is traveling out there to offset any air travel they do this summer by buying a TerraPass and offsetting your carbon footprint!

It is a small thing we can all do to help keep our planet healthy!

Happy travels everyone

MarinaAvila's flickr photostream/Creative Commons

Because here at TakePart we believe that every cloud has a silver lining, we've searched high and low for good news concerning the global economic disaster downturn, and found that it's caused airlines to pollute less. Yes, as airlines cut flights out of the schedule and carry less cargo due to a decrease in demand, 2009 will see also see a decrease in pollution of about eight percent from the airline industry. More

This afternoon Continental Airlines is testing a fuel made from algae and jatropha, a tropical shrub, in a Boeing 737 for the first ever biofueled, two-engine flight.  Looking for a cheaper fuel alternative and hoping to reduce their carbon footprint, airlines are increasingly turning to alternative fuel sources.  The New York Times reports:

At Pratt & Whitney, the engine manufacturer, Alan H. Epstein, vice president for technology and environment, said, “It’s the first time in the history of jet aviation that the world is seriously considering going to a totally new fuel.”

And while these greener fuels are exciting prospects, especially for those of us who feel uneasy about our airplane-sized carbon footprint, the implementation of the technology still has aways to go.  These plant-based fuels spew much less carbon into the atmosphere then their predecessors, and certainly less then coal or natural gas, which some companies are foolishly attempting to use as substitutes.  However, growing plants for biofuels will require land, running the risk of competing with food crops, which has already proved problematic with ethanol production.  Hopefully, researchers can find a plant that requires very little room and minimal fertilization.takepart by learning how to reduce your carbon footprint when you fly.Photo:  Beautyredefined's Flickr Photostream (Creative Commons)