Blue Skies, Greenwashing - Page 2
On July 5, the airlines challenged the European Union Emission Trading Scheme's Aviation Directive. To find out how the EU-ETS works, click here.
This week, House Transportation and Infrastructure chairman John Mica (R-FL) introduced the European Union Emissions Trading Scheme Prohibition Act of 2011, a bill that would actually make it against the law for US airlines to participate in the European system – even just to report their emissions.
Then, there's this article stating that U.S. lawmakers have declared the European Union's ETS as down right illegal.
It will be a fight to see which side of the Atlantic has bigger clout. Will U.S. lawmakers successfully challenge the legality of the Emission Trading Scheme or will the European Union successfully compel U.S. airlines to obey the emission regulation that will soon govern European skies?
No matter who wins, those who travel by air and those who don't need to realize that in order for any regulation to produce the desired positive environmental impact, it has to be a united, global effort. European regulation alone will not create a significant difference if U.S. airlines and lawmakers refuse to adopt lower emissions.
Thousands of U.S. carriers fly across the Atlantic to various European destinations each day. For the good of the environment and all life that must depend on a healthy eco-system, it would serve the interest of both sides of the Atlantic, if all parties would agree to implement initiatives that reduce carbon footprint.
It is true that U.S. airlines have implemented environmentally friendly measures. Better waste management that streams more disposed items to recycling and reduced packaging are among the commendable measures taken by U.S. airlines, but why stop there? Wouldn't reducing emissions make air-crafts more fuel efficient and make a significant impact on reducing carbon footprint? After all, how many plastic cups and forks does an airline need to recycle in order to accomplish the same level of positive impact brought about my lower emissions?
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