Discussion: When we can't afford to fly...the future of O?
in: Orienteering; General
Aug 23, 2008 2:20 AM
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There's an interesting article about the future of commercial aviation in the current issue of The New Republic:
As the age of cheap oil comes to a close, it's springtime for gloomy futurists. Visions of a brutish world marked by violent squabbles over dwindling reserves, of junkyards littered with abandoned cars, of suburban slums overrun by weeds, of the collapse of industrial agriculture--none of this sounds as outlandish as it once did. Still, most of these horror stories are likely overstated: Energy experts tend to agree that, with a little ingenuity and a generous helping of political will, we could transition away from fossil fuels without being forced to give up our modern lifestyles.
But there's one big exception--an area where a post-carbon world really could mean a radical shift in the way we live. That's the world of commercial flight....
The article goes on to warn additionally that increasing concern about global warming will force a sharp reduction in flying over the next 20 years.
In keeping with thoughts expressed in a recent thread "USOF Professional Staff Transition" I wonder if it is too soon to add such concerns into the mix for the new guy to include in USOF long range planning.
And perhaps for some of us local clubs to ponder, as we attempt to plan the mapping and A-meet scheduling over the next 5-10 years. Can we count on steady attendance and revenues over that period?
As the age of cheap oil comes to a close, it's springtime for gloomy futurists. Visions of a brutish world marked by violent squabbles over dwindling reserves, of junkyards littered with abandoned cars, of suburban slums overrun by weeds, of the collapse of industrial agriculture--none of this sounds as outlandish as it once did. Still, most of these horror stories are likely overstated: Energy experts tend to agree that, with a little ingenuity and a generous helping of political will, we could transition away from fossil fuels without being forced to give up our modern lifestyles.
But there's one big exception--an area where a post-carbon world really could mean a radical shift in the way we live. That's the world of commercial flight....
The article goes on to warn additionally that increasing concern about global warming will force a sharp reduction in flying over the next 20 years.
In keeping with thoughts expressed in a recent thread "USOF Professional Staff Transition" I wonder if it is too soon to add such concerns into the mix for the new guy to include in USOF long range planning.
And perhaps for some of us local clubs to ponder, as we attempt to plan the mapping and A-meet scheduling over the next 5-10 years. Can we count on steady attendance and revenues over that period?
This discussion thread is closed.