Comments on: We’re Not Just Driving Less, We’re Also Flying Less http://sf.streetsblog.org/2009/06/12/were-not-just-driving-less-were-also-flying-less/ Covering San Francisco's livable streets movement Sat, 20 Mar 2010 06:22:47 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8 hourly 1 By: Galen Maloney http://sf.streetsblog.org/2009/06/12/were-not-just-driving-less-were-also-flying-less/comment-page-1/#comment-6261 Galen Maloney Sat, 13 Jun 2009 06:57:12 +0000 http://sf.streetsblog.org/?p=2400#comment-6261 This is obviously a huge issue that is largely ignored by the "green" alternatives movement. The impact of airplane emissions on global warming may even be understated by this article. I would be very interested in learning about any studies or programs that ware seeking to put forth "green" airplanes or commercial airplanes that have a significantly reduced environmental impact. If we can build electric cars, why couldn't we build electric airplanes? All we need is more devotion to R&D funding...oh, i can't wait for world peace and consciousness to free up all those military budgets. This is obviously a huge issue that is largely ignored by the "green" alternatives movement. The impact of airplane emissions on global warming may even be understated by this article. I would be very interested in learning about any studies or programs that ware seeking to put forth "green" airplanes or commercial airplanes that have a significantly reduced environmental impact. If we can build electric cars, why couldn't we build electric airplanes? All we need is more devotion to R&D funding...oh, i can't wait for world peace and consciousness to free up all those military budgets.

]]> By: John Murphy http://sf.streetsblog.org/2009/06/12/were-not-just-driving-less-were-also-flying-less/comment-page-1/#comment-6240 John Murphy Fri, 12 Jun 2009 18:23:03 +0000 http://sf.streetsblog.org/?p=2400#comment-6240 My company has shut the lid on business travel. Thing is, it's not really impacting our effectiveness. The phone, email, video, and WebEx it turns out actually are a substitute for face to face meetings. Maybe face to face is a bit more effective, but is that differential worth the monetary cost, the lost work time due to travel, the lowering of morale due to time away from family? My vote is no. The gravy is that *everyone* benefits from less useless business travel. My company has shut the lid on business travel. Thing is, it's not really impacting our effectiveness. The phone, email, video, and WebEx it turns out actually are a substitute for face to face meetings. Maybe face to face is a bit more effective, but is that differential worth the monetary cost, the lost work time due to travel, the lowering of morale due to time away from family? My vote is no. The gravy is that *everyone* benefits from less useless business travel.

]]> By: DaveO http://sf.streetsblog.org/2009/06/12/were-not-just-driving-less-were-also-flying-less/comment-page-1/#comment-6237 DaveO Fri, 12 Jun 2009 17:58:07 +0000 http://sf.streetsblog.org/?p=2400#comment-6237 Of course it has to do with the state of the economy. Duh. Of course it has to do with the state of the economy. Duh.

]]> By: ZA http://sf.streetsblog.org/2009/06/12/were-not-just-driving-less-were-also-flying-less/comment-page-1/#comment-6233 ZA Fri, 12 Jun 2009 17:38:17 +0000 http://sf.streetsblog.org/?p=2400#comment-6233 I just hope this "shallowing" of demand lasts long enough the alternatives to moving a human being and their luggage to complete a transaction experience become more commonplace. That way, when 'recovery' is underway in the economy, it's decoupled from burning dead dinosaurs to move widgets. I just hope this "shallowing" of demand lasts long enough the alternatives to moving a human being and their luggage to complete a transaction experience become more commonplace. That way, when 'recovery' is underway in the economy, it's decoupled from burning dead dinosaurs to move widgets.

]]> By: Jim F. http://sf.streetsblog.org/2009/06/12/were-not-just-driving-less-were-also-flying-less/comment-page-1/#comment-6229 Jim F. Fri, 12 Jun 2009 17:20:34 +0000 http://sf.streetsblog.org/?p=2400#comment-6229 I guess if I had to choose one I would say its a sign of economic distress. If all economic indicators are down there is less reason for business folks to travel. What I hope it means is that people want to travel less. They are making the connection that the oil we use to fly and drive is the cause of the 100 years war we are funding in the middle east. Thus, if they travel less, there will be fewer oil wars and a much stronger US. I also hope people are making the connection between the distance they travel and global warming. The polar bear is a super poster child to show concretely what is happening. I guess if I had to choose one I would say its a sign of economic distress. If all economic indicators are down there is less reason for business folks to travel.

What I hope it means is that people want to travel less. They are making the connection that the oil we use to fly and drive is the cause of the 100 years war we are funding in the middle east. Thus, if they travel less, there will be fewer oil wars and a much stronger US.

I also hope people are making the connection between the distance they travel and global warming. The polar bear is a super poster child to show concretely what is happening.

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