Concerns about global warming are focusing increasingly on the contribution of human activities, including aviation. Jet aircraft are among many sources of greenhouse gases-gases that can trap heat, potentially increasing the temperature of the earth's surface and leading to changes in climate." According to a recent report by the National Research Council, the average global temperature at the earth's surface has risen 0.7 to 1.4 degrees Fahrenheit over the last century. Many experts agree that, in total, greenhouse gases are warming the earth and that this warming could have harmful effects on the environment and human health. For example, some scientists are concerned that with global warming, glaciers and ice sheets could melt, leading to a rise in sea levels and subsequent coastal flooding. In addition, they expressed concern that the incidence of malaria and other tropical infectious diseases could increase in moderate climates. Our report focuses on the effects of subsonic jet aircraft engine emissions on the upper atmosphere-above 3,000 feet-and does not address the effects of these emissions on local air quality. A recent international review of aviation and the global atmosphere had a similar focus. We focused on commercial civilian subsonic jet aircraft because they account for the majority of aviation emissions; military and general aviation aircraft account for the remainder. In the commercial fleet, fewer than 15 civilian supersonic jets currently operate worldwide. Throughout this report, we use the terms "aviation" and "jet aircraft" interchangeably reconciling Observations of Global Temperature Change, Panel on Reconciling Temperature Observations, National Research Council (Jan. 2000).

"In light of the growing demand for global air travel and the potentially increasing effects of aircraft emissions, the Ranking Democratic Member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure asked [the General accounting Office] to provide information on (1) what is currently known about aviation's contribution to global warming and how aviation emissions, both domestic and global, compare with emissions from other sources and (2) what options are available for reducing aviation's emissions."--P. 28.

Aviation is an integral part of the global transportation network, and the number of flights worldwide is expected to grow rapidly in the coming decades. Yet, the effects that subsonic aircraft emissions may be having upon atmospheric composition and climate are not fully understood. To study such issues, NASA sponsors the Atmospheric Effects of Aviation Program (AEAP). The NRC Panel on Atmospheric Effects of Aviation is charged to evaluate AEAP, and in this report, the panel is focusing on the subsonic assessment (SASS) component of the program. This evaluation of SASS/AEAP was based on the report Atmospheric Effects of Subsonic Aircraft: Interim Assessment Report of the Advanced Sub-sonic Technology Program, on a strategic plan developed by SASS managers, and on other relevant documents.

Aircraft emit greenhouse gases and other emissions, contributing to increasing concentrations of such gases in the atmosphere. Many scientists and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change believe these gases may negatively affect the earth¿s climate. Given forecasts of growth in aviation emissions, some gov¿ts. are taking steps to reduce emissions. This report reviews: (1) estimates of aviation¿s current and future contribution to greenhouse gas and other emissions that may affect climate change; (2) existing and potential technological and operational improvements that can reduce aircraft emissions; and (3) policy options for gov¿ts. to help address commercial aircraft emissions. Illustrations.

Seminar paper from the year 2009 in the subject Transportation Science & Technology, grade: 1,0, University of Applied Sciences Wildau (Wildau Institute of Technology (WIT)), course: Master Studies in Aviation Management, language: English, abstract: This paper tries to concentrate on the main influences of aviation on the environment such as noise pollution and its effects on humans as well as the growing impact of aviation on the atmosphere and on climate change itself. Aviation has a number of environmental impacts that are experienced by local residents in the vicinity of airports and under flight paths. Noise has been the focus of concern over all the years of growth in aviation and more recently air pollution and the health effects of air pollution from aircraft have begun to cause concern. The following chapter will inform about these issues: Glossary Introduction Noise pollution Effects of noise on humans Influence on the atmosphere Impact of aviation on climate change Sources