TagClimate(76)

The Stay Grounded network outlines 13 steps to reduce aviation's climate and community impacts, calling for a shift to trains and other low-carbon transport, an end to airport expansion, and the elimination of industry subsidies and tax breaks. The document highlights how airport noise, pollution, and land displacement disproportionately harm local communities and Global South populations who rarely fly. It also rejects carbon offsets and unproven technologies as false solutions, instead demanding binding emissions limits and democratic oversight of transport policy.

A scientific study projects that contrail cirrus (cloud formations created by aircraft exhaust) will produce three times more climate warming by 2050 compared to 2006, driven largely by a fourfold increase in air traffic volume. While reducing soot emissions from aircraft by 50% could cut this warming effect by about 15%, the researchers found that fuel and emissions improvements alone cannot offset the dramatic rise in contrails expected from increased flight activity. The study focuses on global climate impacts rather than local airport noise, and may have limited direct relevance to Sea-Tac Airport noise policy.

This 2018 report by Cascadia Consulting Group inventories greenhouse gas emissions across the Puget Sound region, covering sources such as transportation, buildings, industry, solid waste, water, and agriculture for the year 2015. It outlines the methodology, data sources, and findings used to measure the region's carbon footprint. While focused on regional air quality and climate impact, it provides context for understanding emissions contributors in the greater Seattle–Tacoma area.

This EPA report tracks U.S. greenhouse gas emissions and sinks from 1990 to 2015, covering sources such as transportation, agriculture, industry, and waste. It was published by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in 2017 and is available for download on the EPA website. Note: this document does not appear to contain information relevant to Sea-Tac Airport noise policy.

This EPA report summarizes U.S. greenhouse gas emissions data from 1990 to 2015, showing that total emissions reached 6,587 million metric tons of CO2 equivalent in 2015, a 2.3% decrease from 2014 levels. Carbon dioxide makes up the largest share at 82% of emissions, with electricity generation and transportation being the biggest contributing economic sectors at 29% and 27% respectively. The report includes detailed emissions breakdowns by gas type, economic sector, and fuel source, along with unit conversion tables and global warming potential values for reference.

This 2015 report from the Air Transport Action Group (ATAG) outlines the aviation industry's framework for addressing its climate impact, noting that while air transport carries over 3.3 billion passengers annually and supports 3.5% of global GDP, it also accounts for roughly 2% of human-induced CO2 emissions. The document presents the industry's strategies for balancing continued air traffic growth with the obligation to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. It represents a collaborative effort across airlines, airports, air navigation service providers, and aircraft manufacturers to pursue sustainable development goals.