An insatiable need or an insatiable desire? Examining long-distance transport and the role of aviation within it
Buckinghamshire New University invites members of the public to join David Warnock-Smith, Professor of Research & Education at BNU, as he takes us through his professorial lecture exploring the different trends in long-distance transport, the groups in society that make most use of it and why, and whether, in the context of managing our personal and organisational carbon footprints, we are able to consider any long-distance trips as dispensable or substitutable.
Aviation has played a critical role in revolutionising long-distance transport since the 1960s, particularly in meeting requirements for long distance freight and passenger trip combinations that lack access to viable alternatives. Fast forward to the 21st century, and Aviation continues to play this critical role, albeit with an urgent impetus to reduce its contributions to Greenhouse Gas emissions as a result of the world’s climate emergency.
Ironically, the distances over which the benefits of aviation are most acutely felt, are the same distances for which reductions in emissions will prove the most difficult, leading to an impending conundrum for individuals, policy-makers and the aviation sector itself as it seeks to achieve sustainable growth.
David has a professional background in airport handling and rail planning and has had a wide-ranging career as a transport academic, researcher, adviser, and consultant. His main research interests revolve around aviation economics, long-distance transport inequalities and poverty, developments in airport/airline relationships, airline ancillary revenues and incumbent carrier strategies in deregulated markets.
The lecture will take place on Wednesday 4 October 2023 from 5:00 – 7:00pm. If you would like to attend, you will need to register your attendance. You can do so .