Speed & Scale How you can fly more sustainably (today!)
11 snips
Nov 3, 2025 Dan Rutherford, a policy and aviation environmental expert, dives into the pressing issue of sustainable aviation. He explains how contrails significantly contribute to short-term warming effects and shares innovative strategies for mitigating this, such as altitude adjustments during flights. Dan also discusses the two pathways for sustainable aviation fuels—biofuels and synthetic electrofuels—and the challenges of cost and adoption. With insights into the EU's mandates and U.S. policies, he emphasizes the need for supportive frameworks to drive the aviation industry towards sustainability.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Child Activist Sparks Legal Win
- Riley Brooks became an environmental activist after rescuing a sea turtle entangled in a fishing net as a child.
- She later joined a lawsuit that led to Hawaii requiring zero emissions from transportation by 2045.
Ground Operations Are Big Fuel Sinks
- Airport ground operations burn surprising amounts of jet fuel, especially during taxiing and on-gate power use.
- Plug-in preconditioned air and electric tugs used in Europe can cut this waste significantly.
Short Flights Are Electrification Targets
- Short inter-island flights are prime candidates for electric or alternative designs due to low range needs.
- Innovative vehicles like Regent's sea-glider and hybrid electrics can replace very short hops.