Friends of the Earth are opposed to a rise in air travel
FOE: government should focus on green travel
19 August 2008Green alternatives to flying should be investigated by the government over fears for the environment, a spokesperson for Friends of the Earth has said.
There has been a 78 per cent rise in the use of airports in the last ten years, claims the Airport Operators Association and the government needs to explore and invest in green travel such as rail in order to prevent climate change, according to the spokesperson.
However, there is little support from the British electorate who are more concerned with the cost of living than with the environment, according to a poll commissioned by industry-lobby group Flying Matters.
"Aviation is one of the fastest growing sources of climate changing emissions in the UK and no amount of carbon offsetting will change that. Rather than support the expansion of airports, the government should invest in greener travel alternatives," the Friends of the Earth spokesperson said.
She added that high speed rail links for could be the answer to travel to short haul destinations in Europe.
It was also noted that such travel is also cheaper, a solution for both public concerns about the cost of living and the environment.
Essential Travel - fully comprehensive Single Trip Travel Insurance, Annual Travel Insurance, Family Travel Insurance and Backpacker Travel Insurance at a great price