Sky High Dreams

Have you ever been in the middle of a long-haul flight, squished between two fellow travelers, breathing in the recycled cabin air, and thought, "Isn't there a better way?" For those of us who annually traverse the globe, say from the US to India or across different continents, (can't exactly sail à la Greta Thunberg, now can we?) we're intimately familiar with this riddle.

The solution to this is not just about enhancing comfort but also about reducing the carbon footprint. Let's face it: air travel, while miraculous, has its drawbacks. It's pumped significant amounts of CO2 into our atmosphere, with emissions only escalating in recent decades. Yet, it's undeniable how it's transformed the way we perceive and interact with the world.

This leaves us at a crucial crossroads, with one of humanity's most transformative innovations seemingly hurtling towards a future filled with environmental catastrophes. So, what's the plan? Drum roll, please... Electric planes! Well, that does not seem exciting at all, however, Cleo over at Huge* *If True took me over this idea of how electrification of planes would work.

The concept of electric aviation didn't emerge from the climate change crisis; it predates airplanes. Remember those gargantuan airships of the late 19th century? Some were electric-powered, using gigantic zinc-chlorine batteries, albeit with limited success. The sheer weight and size of batteries couldn't compete with the energy yield of liquid fuels, and so began the longstanding battery conundrum.

But, fast forward to today, and we've become quite the pros at perfecting batteries. We have witnessed this evolution firsthand – from our first bulky laptop or the clunky early mobile phone models? Over the years, batteries have become smaller, lighter, and more energy-dense, allowing for electric vehicles to become a reality. Now, this technology is being integrated into our future planes.

Does this mean you'll soon be hopping aboard a jumbo electric jet for your annual intercontinental voyage? Well, not exactly. Our electric planes are still in the early stages and can't yet compete with the range of their fuel-guzzling counterparts.

However, this isn't a defeat; it's a promising start. A significant portion of aviation emissions comes from short-haul flights (less than 932 miles). These flights, which make up one-third of passenger flight emissions, could soon be entirely electric, making a substantial dent in our carbon footprint.

For a more detailed breakdown, make sure to check out Cleo’s video!

There's more to this electric revelation, though. It's not just about passengers; it's also about cargo. The freight industry is eyeing electric aviation, which offers the potential to cut down carbon emissions from other sectors, too. In the end, the journey to electric aviation is about more than just greener skies. It's about transforming the way we live, travel, and understand our impact on this precious blue dot we call home. We might not be there yet, but the innovation wheels are spinning fast.