[axl7777]

Air transport account for less than 4% of the 51 b tons of CO2 we send every year. These politicians aren’t going to make any difference. We could ask them to be role models, but with what finality? Again air transport is not the most urgent problem. I understand this is a topic that can be used to raise awareness, but the most useful thing these politicians could do is to rethink the way (EU) businesses are leading China and India to use coal for energy. Why no one proposes to handle this topic, I do not understand. And if someone would handle it, then it would be time to use your next vote wisely.

[bogomipz]

You realize that the individual EU countries that those same politicians represent are promoting rail travel over air travel for short haul flights for their own citizens.[1] France themselves actually passed legislation regarding this.[2]. And I know the Netherlands has made a similar attempt at legislation.

I believe consistent messaging from leaders regarding climate action does actually make a difference to the people they are asking to think and acting responsibly regarding their impact on on our fragile climate.

The EU just last year promoted "2021 the European Year of Rail."[3][4] And Adina Vălean, the European Commissioner for Transport has been very vocal about this promotion of long-distance and cross-border passenger rail travel across the continent.

[1] https://www.bloomberg.com/graphics/2021-europe-travel-night-...

[2] https://www.theguardian.com/business/2021/apr/12/france-ban-...

[3] https://www.reuters.com/article/sponsored/connecting-europe-...

[4] https://transport.ec.europa.eu/news/end-european-year-rail-b...

[pfortuny]

They are "not going to make a difference" but we the people (I am a Spaniard) are paying for their jobs and they are constantly pressing us to use less polluting means of transportation. That is the shame.

And the silly fact of the EU having:

Brussels, Frankfurt, Luxembourg, Strasbourg

as seats of the Government makes this shameful and, yes, scandalous.

[user_7832]

Multiple locations makes sense politically. Different countries reduce the likelihood of anyone claiming favouritism (perhaps very slightly, but still) and makes it feel more democratic, even if it is more inefficient.

[reaperducer]

Air transport account for less than 4% of the 51 b tons of CO2 we send every year. These politicians aren’t going to make any difference.

As they say, no snowflake thinks it's responsible for the avalanche.

[melenaboija]

That is exactly my point.

Then don’t try to convince me to separate my waste at home, because when you ask what is the true impact of it they say it is small but the sum of small efforts is what matters. Or is it that some are exempt of it?

[plandis]

Some countries are starting to ban short haul flights. Seems a bit hypocritical to ban flights that would benefit your average citizens but then utilize the type of flight that’s convenient for politicians.

[lawl]

> We could ask them to be role models, but with what finality?

Yes! That would show everyone that dealing with climate change is going to reduce your quality of life. I'm sure that's a good idea.