Some people do not recognize that climate change is a dire threat to us all? (Aviation's green heights – Globe and Mail, March 13) 

Growth in CO2 emissions from international aviation since 1990, the base year of the Kyoto Protocol, now stands at 83%. And emissions at high altitude are 2 to 5 times more damaging than emissions at ground level.

On a passenger-kilometre basis, air travel is by far the biggest emitter of greenhouse gases – for short-haul flights like Porter Air’s Q400s (assuming 70% full, which is far from the case, from our observations), twice as bad as travelling the same distance alone in an SUV.

We all love to fly - it’s been a wonderful three or so decades since air travel became commonplace. Unfortunately, the party has to end. Our planet demands it: cutting back on flying is the most effective thing we can start to do.

ersonName w:st="on">Brian IlerersonName>

Chair, CommunityAIR