The Predicament of Air Travel Emissions and the Study Abroad Experience

Lea Cerini

It is predicted that tourism will account for 50% of air emissions by 2050 (Higham et al., 2015).

Who is traveling? Where are they going?Andwhy?

There are many different reasons why individuals choose to travel. Most commonlyareleisure,work,educationand luxury.Astheconnectionbetweenairtravel and carbon emissions has become more apparent, airlines have increased prices for flights. The rich can afford the raised air travel expenses that accommodate carbon emissions.However,fortheaverage university student in the lower and middle class, it is for them to have not traveled outside of their own country before. It is clear that those with a higher socioeconomic status travel internationally far more than those with middle and lower statuses. The relatively small proportion of frequent air travelers raises the question of social and national equity, as they are primarily responsible for increasing greenhouse gas emissions. The effect of these emissions will be borne “disproportionately by people in nations with relatively few flights per capita and relatively low per capita emissions profiles”, as their livelihoods depend on climate stability (Higham et al., 2015)

People who are educated about climate change and the effects of air travel on global warming are put in a moral dilemma. The “unregulated individual behaviors of the global elite” and “their relative contribution to climate change” in comparison to the disproportionate regulatory burden” of the developing world is astounding (Jurjonas & Aldana, 2020). Those that are affected the most from climate change receive none of the benefits of international aviation.

International travel was not included in the obligations of the Kyoto Protocol and the EU’s trading scheme. The adoption of international aviation into the EU's emissions trading scheme has been resisted by industry. However, “the continued absence of regulatory measures” has remained as “the major barrier acting against significant changes in air travel behavior” (Higham et al., 2015). The public’s education on the effects of air emissions from travel on climate is not sufficient. It is not acceptable that the world's powerful nations have continued to neglect the impact of tourism on the environment. It is not enough to simply rely on individual behavioral change to mitigate the effects.

How do we justify traveling abroad?

The experience of studying abroad in another country allows students to be educated about historical, cultural, and current events through a new perspective, which is extremely rewarding. Although economically unfeasible, every person should have the opportunity to travel abroad at some point. For students, an educational abroad experience unlocks a new understanding of their chosen study For example, political science students can gain insight into international relations, which is an integral aspect of being a worldly politician. It is impossible to achieve this through solely studying at their home institution.

Unfortunately, not every student has the opportunity to study or travel abroad, which can hinder their abilities. The exigency of the climate crisis has made it “increasingly necessary” to frame “mitigation as a class struggle” in order to make the distinction “between subsistence and luxury” air travel emissions (Jurjonas & Aldana, 2020). The opportunity to travel abroad for the first time in an educational context provides much more to the individual than a week's vacation by the elite. Individuals that “are the most likely to benefit from studying abroad” are characterized by “those with the least economic, social and cultural resources” (Waibel et al., 2018). When traveling abroad, it is essential to make the trip to a foreign country count. This can be accomplished through an elongated international stay and well-thought out preparations. Rutgers University has made studying abroad more accessible to students by matching a semester’s tuition to the cost of a semester abroad.

Students who are cognizant of climate change may find it difficult to justify their flight, but the honorable intentions to absorb the culture of another country and do good in the world are negated in comparison to the flights of celebrities in their private jets The global elite, aware of the impacts of their unchecked consumerism and economic materialism, is the principal threat of honest, hard working people affected by environmental destruction.

West Martello Tower and Key West Garden Club Key

West, Florida

Once a Civil War fort on the island is now boasted as a "tropical garden delight" and is a non-profit promoting native trees, pollinator gardens, an orchid collection, and much more. Plus this gem offers free admission!