To: et.letters@telegraph.co.uk
Re: Air travel and consumer demand
Date: Mon. 18 August 2003

 

Dear Sir/Madam,

I would like to suggest that both your travel and environment correspondents get in touch with me so that we can arrange to meet somewhere for a drink and a chat about the sustainability of air travel (Passengers warn of jump in air fares, 18 August 2003).

You are familiar with the concept of sustainability, aren't you? Of course you are. You could hardly be the editors of a reputable newspaper if you were not.

At the moment only a fraction (perhaps 1/5) of the world's population is able to afford anything like regular air travel, while a similar proportion own their own cars, yet even now these two forms of transportation are gobbling up Earth's non-renewable resources and placing a disruptive and no-sustainable burden on its carrying capacity (climate and life-supporting ecosystems).

While we might conceivably make air travel and individual motorisation sustainable for the billion or so people who current enjoy them, it is utterly inconceivable that they be made sustainable for the 7 - 9 billion people who will populate our planet in the near future.

I know that one is not supposed to sound alarmist, but when you see someone walking down the street reading the newspaper (perhaps the Telegraph or any other mainstream newspaper), oblivious to the open manhole directly ahead of them, shouting a warning is perhaps the most appropriate thing to do.

I, and others, have been trying to warn you for years, but you pay no attention. You seem to think that all the information you need is contained in the newspaper you are reading, which in fact is blocking your view of the hole up ahead.

I wouldn't mind quite so much if it were not for the fact that when you do fall down the hole you are going to drag me and everyone I care about with you.

When we are all sitting at the bottom, bruised and bloody, and you, dear editors, ask why no one warned you, please do not be surprised if I punch you on the nose!

In the hope that you will look up and see the hole (the non-sustainability of our economy and lifestyles) before it is too late.