Eleanor Babcock
11/11/15

Resource Guide

 Alaska Airlines Inks Agreement to Purchase Gevo's Alcohol-to-jet Fuel as Certification Edges Closer

              This online article provided by GreenAir online discusses the partnership between Alaska Airlines and Gevo, a company which researches and produces sustainable biofuels. This partnership and launch of biofuels in the airlines is an excellent example of what all airlines should be doing. Use of sustainable fuels is a way to combat climate change without disturbing economic growth of the aviation industry. Alaska Airlines is the first airline to create a target to commercially fly planes using biofuels. Their target is for the year of 2020. This article is useful in that it provides an example of sustainable aviation in progress. 

"Alaska Airlines Inks Agreement to Purchase Gevo's Alcohol-to-jet Fuel as Certification Edges Closer." Green Air. IATA, 13 May 2015. Web. 11 Nov. 2015. <http://www.greenaironline.com/news.php?viewStory=2083>.

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Summary for Policy Makers on Aviation

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) wrote a publication report with a summary for policy makers on aviation and the global atmosphere and proposed alternative options for aircraft efficiency and sustainability. Information on effects of aviation in terms of carbon, methane, and ozone emissions are all provided.  Solutions for creating a more sustainable aviation department include airframe design, alternative fuels, and air traffic guidance are also discussed.

"Aviation and the Global Atmosphere." Grid Arendal. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, n.d. Web. 11 Nov. 2015. <http://www.grida.no/publications/other/ipcc_sr/?src=/climate/ipcc/aviation/index.htm>.

Making an Impact: The influence of Policies to Reduce Emissions from Aviation on the Business Travel Patterns of Individual Corporations 

            This article, provided by Science Direct, is a scholar peer reviewed source. It includes valuable information regarding how personal and global businesses are striving to reduce their carbon footprint in terms of air travel. Some of these measures include: increasing air ticket prices and reducing the amount of people on international business trips. This article is valuable because it gives a perspective on what small businesses in the the UK are doing to lessen their air travel carbon footprint. It gives us a close up look at how business can strive to be more sustainable by giving examples of how these particular businesses are already doing that. 

Davies, Zoe G., and Paul R. Armsworth. "Making An Impact: The Influence Of Policies To Reduce Emissions From Aviation On The Business Travel Patterns Of Individual Corporations." Energy Policy 38.12 (2010): 7634-7638. Environment Index. Web. 12 Nov. 2015.

Fighting Climate Change In The Air: Lessons From The EU Directive On Global Aviation

This source is a peer reviewed article sourced from a database. It discusses the importance of the European Union’s (EU) decision to include aviation carbon emissions in their carbon calculations. There have been extreme noticeable increases in carbon emissions from aviation sectors.  The EU requires that all aviation sectors account or all their carbon emissions. This is problematic because on an international scale it is difficult to gauge whose emissions are whose. This article focuses on the importance of securing a system to avoid carbon leakage. Inclusion of all airlines is the best way to avoid carbon leakage. The EU has been working to avoid problems from past aviation and climate change efforts. The EU has decided to reduce emissions from aviation 30% by 2020 by improving energy efficiency, increasing shares of renewable energy, and developing an environmentally friendly way to store carbon. These solutions are politically minded rather than technological. 

De Paula Domingos, Nicole. "Fighting Climate Change In The Air: Lessons From The EU Directive On Global Aviation." Revista Brasileira De Política Internacional 55. (2012): 70-87. Academic Search Premier. Web. 3 Nov. 2015.

The Rough Guide to Climate Change

             Described in this rough guide about climate change, air travel has to potential to counteract all progress in the reduction of greenhouse gases as it becomes cheaper and more popular. It is reported that the aviation sector emits up to 1 billion tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere each year. Air travel emissions are not accounted for by the Kyoto protocols. This is problematic because it causes separate aviation organizations to be accountable for their own emissions.

            This rough guide also explains the science behind contrails from air planes and their warming effect on the atmosphere. In a study conducted by David Travis directly after the terrorist attacks on September 11^th, found that because air travel was shut down for the few days preceding the attacks the average air temperature was one degree higher during the day and lower at nights. He concluded that the lack of contrails in the atmosphere resulted in more solar radiation reaching the earth during the day and more escaping at night. Contrails have a net warming effect because they trap heat radiated back from the earth. The IPCC reported that contrails add up to 60% of warming from aviation. 

Henson, Robert, and Duncan Clark. The Rough Guide to Climate Change. 3rd ed. Vol. 1. London: Rough Guides, 2011. Print.

Exploring People's Viewpoints On Air Travel And Climate Change: Understanding Inconsistencies

             This article is a scholarly peer reviewed article. Projected growth of aviation is expected to surpass fuel and technology advancements and this article focuses on how to approach consumers, those associated with air travel, to advance technology in favor of the general public. The theory on air travel behavior is important because those who use air travel are the ones most directly affected by changes, whether that be scientific or economic. Travelers are generally unaware that their daily routines affect the climate. Even with awareness, it does not impact people’s decision to fly. 

Kroesen, Maarten. "Exploring People's Viewpoints On Air Travel And Climate Change: Understanding Inconsistencies." Journal Of Sustainable Tourism 21.2 (2013): 271-290. Academic Search Premier. Web. 11 Nov. 2015.

 Climatologist Develops Contrail Avoidance Model

             This university article describes the work that David Travis, a climatologist  from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater did after September 11th when all flights were grounded. It describes his findings from his study. Some of these findings were that the earth was warmer during the day and cooler during the night.

 Kuhl, Sarah. "Climatologist Develops Contrail Avoidance Model." University News [Whitewater] 1 May 2008: n. pag. Print.

Want To Reduce Your Carbon Footprint? Here’s Which Airlines To Fly

An article published on Thinkprogress discussing the difference between which airlines are the most reliable in terms of reducing carbon footprint. A study released by the International Council on Clean Transport concluded that Alaska Airlines was the most efficient way to fly. Frontier and Southwest Airlines were also some of the top more efficient airlines. Fuel efficiency s directly tied to costs for flying with a particular airline. Consumers generally look for the most cost efficient flight, but green flights are becoming more of an outlook for frequent flyers. Suggestions are that the only way to effectively reduce emissions from aircrafts would be to increase flight ticket prices. 

Page, Samantha. "Want To Reduce Your Carbon Footprint? Here’s Which Airlines To Fly." Climate Progress. N.p., 31 Oct. 2015. Web. 4 Nov. 2015. <http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2015/10/31/3717776/best-worst-emitting-airlines/>.

Evaluation of Multifunctional Fuel Cell Systems in Aviation Using a Multistep Process Analysis Methodology

             This paper is from a peer reviewed credible database. It discusses options for advancement of fuel cells in aviation technology. Fuel conversion is one advancement which could be very beneficial for reducing emissions in the aviation sector. This paper researches the introduction of fuel cells. Fuel cells are important advancements in technology because they save energy and consider more efficient types of power management. Hydrogen power as a fuel is highly efficient and does not emit any carbon when burned, however, there is no infrastructure for carrying hydrogen on board aircraft. This paper concluded that the more efficient, less water producing fuel cell was that which carried kerosene. This paper also concluded that  switching to biofuels is the best decision for aviation sectors, however, the infrastructure to store and burn these types of fuels are not advanced enough.A solution derived from this paper is that, we have the material and resources to use biofuels, we just need the infrastructure.

Peters, R., and R.C. Samsun. "Evaluation of Multifunctional Fuel Cell Systems in Aviation Using a Multistep Process Analysis Methodology." Environment Index. N.p., Nov. 2013. Web. 11 Nov. 2015. 

Aviation Industry Proposing Solutions to Solving Their Global Warming Pollution?

This article provided by an environmentally minded news source discusses the lack of action taken by aviation industries to mitigate their emissions. Many industries have stated that they "are going" to fix the problem or "are working" on solutions, but action is slow to be taken. The author of this article also participated in the climate change negoations in Germany where a cap on emissions from the aviation sector was proposed. A lever in the aviation section was also proposed to aid those in countries suffering from climate change from funding from air travel industries. 

Schmit, Jake. "Aviation Industry Proposing Solutions to Solving Their Global Warming Pollution?" Grist, 8 Apr. 2009. Web. 11 Nov. 2015. <http://grist.org/article/aviation-industry-proposing-solutions-to-solving-their-global-warming-pollu/>.

International Civil Aviation Organization Official Website

The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) is a specialized United Nations (UN) organization focused on governance in the aviation regime. Works with member states to create standard policies which all aviation forces should abide by. The ICAO works with the UN to meet their sustainable development goals. These goals include creating action plans for member states, developing sustainable fuel options, such as drop-in fuels, and implementing policies on aviation standards regarding the environment.

According to the ICAO Emissions from airplanes are unique in that they emit large quantities of greenhouse gases at altitude causing a major global impact. Aircrafts contribute to 3.5%-4% of the world’s emissions through all human activities. CO2 emissions from aviation are expected to grow 3-4% each year. The ICAO will continue to expand outlook on sustainable air travel from solely ground work to in air engine emissions. Under the Kyoto protocol aviation emissions are excluded from the CO2 account because it is under a global scale rather than a national scale. 

United Nations. "Environmental Protection." International Civil Aviation Organization. United                 Nations, n.d. Web. 4 Nov. 2015. <http://www.icao.int/environmental-protection/Pages/AltFuel-Q2-1.aspx>.

The Engineering Options For Mitigating The Climate Impacts Of Aviation

This source is a peer reviewed scholarly source. This source takes into consideration the impacts aviation has on climate change, but has a focus on the engineering options for aviation improvements. Building new infrastructure is one way to decrease carbon emissions into the atmosphere. One of the major driving forces behind infrastructure developments has always been the cost of fuel, not carbon emissions into the atmosphere. Improving the overall efficiency of the engine will in turn reduce carbon and nitrous oxides released into the atmosphere. Alternative fuel options are also offered in this article. Synthetic kerosene blended with other fuels is one alternative option which does not require many changes to pre-existing aircraft infrastructure. Hydrogen fuels are being considered for the long term, however, they require significant infrastructure changes to aircraft to adapt to. Hydrogen fuels do not emit any carbon, but they do have the potential to increase water vapor in the atmosphere which also has a warming effect.

Victoria, Williams. "The Engineering Options For Mitigating The Climate Impacts Of Aviation." Philosophical Transactions Of The Royal Society A: Mathematical, Physical & Engineering Sciences 365.1861 (2007): 3047-3059. Academic Search Premier. Web. 11 Nov. 2015.