Efficient Aviation
Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12, AP
Type: Articles/Websites
Subjects: Earth and Space Sciences, Economics, Engineering
Authors: Project Drawdown, Daniel Kane, Ruth Metzel; Senior Fellows: Mamta Mehra, Eric Toensmeier, Ariani Wartenberg; Senior Director: Chad Frischmann
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
Synopsis
- This resource is currently being revised by Project Drawdown but you can research many of the other solutions in detail on their new Drawdown Explorer page.
- This article explores the replacement and retrofitting of airplanes to increase fuel efficiency, the financial considerations of implementing such technology, and the potential carbon emissions reduction that can accompany the widespread use of this technology.
- Students will learn that intermediate generation aircrafts are more fuel-efficient than older models, the implementation of fuel-efficient technology can save trillions of dollars in the long-term, and the widespread adoption of this technology can reduce carbon dioxide emissions by many gigatons.
Teaching Materials
Positives
- Some of the data comes from the Global Carbon Atlas.
- This article also touches on sustainable jet fuels.
Additional Prerequisites
- Students need to understand how carbon dioxide emissions impact the Earth's climate.
- Students may also need the terms retrofitting, freight, anthropogenic, and others defined prior to reading the article.
- If you click a link in this article, you won't be taken to a new tab.
Differentiation
- Students can use this article for an informative essay on fuel-efficient technologies and their potential environmental impact.
- Teachers can go over the main idea of key paragraphs in order to ensure comprehension.
- This resource can be used in conjunction with other Project Drawdown articles about fuel efficiency, which can be found in the Table of Solutions.
- For added context or to extend learning, students can research the other emerging aviation technologies mentioned, such as aviation biofuel and open rotor engines.
- This article can support a classroom discussion on how governments can incentivize airlines to adopt fuel-efficient technologies.
This article introduces more efficient aviation as a solution to reducing emissions. A brief overview of reducing the use of fuel needed to fly single- and twin-aisle aircraft to reduce emissions is provided. The methodology of the study, possible scenarios for implementation, results of the study, and discussion about economic implications are included in the article. This article would be a great addition to a lesson discussing alternative methods for reducing carbon emissions. This resource is recommended for teaching.
Teaching Tips
Standards
Resource Type and Format
Scientist Reviewed
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Our review process ensures that every resource in our library reflects the current state of climate science.
Learn about our review process →
