THE latest edition of Plane Talk from BAA includes an assertion that aviation is only responsible for five per cent of the UK s carbon dioxide emissions. Actually the figure is now more than six per cent. But BAA fails to mention that aviation emissions a

THE latest edition of Plane Talk from BAA includes an assertion that aviation is only responsible for five per cent of the UK's carbon dioxide emissions. Actually the figure is now more than six per cent.

But BAA fails to mention that aviation emissions are far more damaging to the environment than emissions at ground level by a factor of between two and four, with the internationally accepted factor being 2.7.

This means aviation currently accounts for 15 per cent of the UK's contribution to man-made global warming. And of course aviation is now the fastest increasing cause of carbon dioxide emissions.

Leading experts have stated the UK will have no hope of reaching its targets for reducing emissions if the aviation industry continues to grow at predicted rates.

One geophysicist recently stated that aviation growth, if unchecked, 'would bring our planet to its knees'.

Michael Young

Maple Lane

Wimbish