Critical Issues in Aviation and the Environment 2011: Climate Change and Adaptation

Policy makers at the international, national, regional, and local levels are paying increasing attention to the effects of anthropogenic (human-made) activities on the earth’s climate. Human activities have increased atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases (GHGs), which are thought by most atmospheric scientists to increase global temperatures and have other effects on regional and local climate. Aviation operations are among the many anthropogenic activities that result in GHG emissions, such as carbon dioxide (CO2), primarily from combustion of carbonaceous fuels in aircraft engines. For example, the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) estimated that fuel combustion for aviation contributes approximately 2% to the total anthropogenic CO2 emissions inventory, and, if left unmitigated under very optimistic aviation growth scenarios, this could grow to as much as 4% by 2050. A substantial amount of research is being conducted concerning the contribution of aircraft emissions to climate change on a global scale. This paper focuses on nonaircraft emissions, emissions inventories on local scales for regulatory or other purposes, and the role of airports in reducing emissions and facilitating adaptation of air transportation infrastructure to changing climatic conditions. Airports have been subject to increasing demands to reduce emissions on the local level and to be prepared for the effects that climate change may have on their infrastructure and airspace.

• Record URL:
  http://www.trb.org/Publications/Blurbs/165118.aspx
• 
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/00978515
• Authors:
  • Klin, Thomas P
  • Putnam, John E
  • Stewart, Burr
  • Vigilante, Mary L
• Publication Date: 2011-3

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Web
• Features: References;
• Pagination: pp 18-24
• Monograph Title: Critical Issues in Aviation and the Environment 2011
• Serial:
  • Transportation Research Circular
  • Issue Number: E-C148
  • Publisher: Transportation Research Board
  • ISSN: 0097-8515

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Airport facilities; Airport operations; Airports; Aviation; Climate change; Environmental impacts; Greenhouse gases
• Subject Areas: Aviation; Environment; I15: Environment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01337513
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS, TRB
• Created Date: Apr 21 2011 8:51AM