Review by Kirkus Book Review
An award-winning journalist surveys emerging technologies for environmentally friendly air travel. It's no secret that airplanes are among the worst climate offenders; at minimum, one international flight burns 300 kilograms of jet fuel per person. Yet, flying is "a silver bullet that slays the demon of distance," writes de Bellaigue. "It's the closest thing we have to supernatural powers." In 2019, "a total of 4.5 billion passengers were flown…and 82 percent of seats were full." However, that number disproportionally represents an elite group of frequent fliers, most of whom don't live in areas most affected by climate change. Researchers have confirmed that reducing air travel by one flight per year per person can have a major positive impact on the environment, but people are reluctant to change their behavior. The author also points out the fact that less than 20% of the world's population has ever taken a flight, and the number of active flyers is expected to increase. As intractable as this problem seems, de Bellaigue has good news: Startups and entrepreneurs around the world have identified new ways to "fly green," giving environmentalists cause for optimism. From California to Switzerland, the author explores the most promising technologies to make flying cleaner, from innovative jet fuels to helium-powered airships to electric planes. Blending in-person interviews with rigorous research, the author brings these pioneering scientists and ideas to life, and he makes a convincing argument that there is good reason to be hopeful that these ambitious leaders can transform the industry and help save the planet. However, he's careful to point out that progress is likely to be fitful, as with any groundbreaking technology that threatens a powerful status quo. "It's not technology that's holding up the decarbonization of aviation," he writes. "It's money." An exciting read that gives climate-minded travelers reason to hope that positive change is in the near future. Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
