Aheatwave may momentarily increase an awareness of global warming, but threats to the environment are not generally high on most people's scale of priorities. Moreover, unless they live beneath the approach to a busy airport, the subject of aircraft noise and other unseen pollutants is unlikely to arouse their interest either. Although aviation is alleged to be responsible for 'only' 2-2.4% of CO~2 emissions, it is nevertheless a high-profile industry which cannot escape the headlines for long. This means that it: is never far from the attention of 'green' lobby groups and politicians: a recent UK parliamentary environmental audit committee recommended a charge on aircraft emissions in place of the present air passenger tax. The European Environment Agency has also called for emissions taxes on airliners. However, UK parliamentarians are at odds with one another because a transport select committee has accepted the need for more runways in Southeast England to cater for expected growth in air traffic. To curb growth, some radical lobbyists demand a tax on aviation fuel and the European Commission is also reported to be considering such a tax for flights within the European Union (EU). This 'tax 'em till they squeal' approach is similar to that advocated by those who are just as opposed to the motor car. Aviation, however, is an international business on which the economies of many countries depend, so generally consensus is sought before drastic measures are taken to limit growth―not that air transport in particular can escape the growing demands to tackle the problems of global warming and other aspects of thereats to the environment.
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