“When everything seems to be going against you, remember that the airplane takes off against the wind, not with it.”
Henry Ford
This year, the number of people traveling by plane is expected to rebound above 2019 levels for the first time since the pandemic. Continued growth is predicted over the next several years. In the world of climate change, air travel is a hot topic because of the amount of CO2 released by planes. Fortunately, a new way to fly is coming.
Moving humans around is a big source of heat-trapping emissions, so finding alternatives to gas-powered vehicles is key to solving climate change. One option is electric, but batteries are heavy, making this a better strategy for vehicles traveling on the ground.
Airplanes present a unique challenge because, well, they fly. Electric planes are out there, and more are coming, but they are only suited for short distances until batteries become lighter. Longer trips and bigger planes would require batteries that weigh too much with today’s technology.
A new way to fly
Other alternatives to jet-fueled planes are being studied and tested. Combination hydrogen-electric planes are on their way to an airport near you within a few years. For example, American Airlines just inked an agreement to purchase 100 hydrogen-electric engines to help reach their goal of zero carbon emissions by 2050.
Some benefits of hydrogen-electric planes:
- No heat-trapping emissions during flight
- Quieter than engines powered by jet fuel
- Hydrogen is an abundant resource
Some challenges of hydrogen-electric planes:
- Significant infrastructure upgrades needed at airports
- Hydrogen is difficult and potentially dangerous to store and transport
- High upfront costs to transition from jet-fuel
There are those who believe people should avoid flying in order to help solve climate change. But practically speaking, air travel isn’t going away. In fact, it is predicted to grow. So, finding alternatives to jet-fueled planes makes a lot of sense. It’s energizing to see new options take flight.
Let’s do something about climate change. Learn about it. Think about it. Talk about it.