Climate activist Greta Thunberg recently participated in a march in southern England to protest the use of private jets and the expansion of Farnborough Airport. The protest, organized by environmental group Extinction Rebellion, saw hundreds of local residents and activists come together to advocate for the ban on private jets.
Carrying banners and placards with slogans such as 'Ban Private Jets,' the participants marched towards Farnborough Airport, a primarily private aircraft serving facility located in Hampshire County, about 40 miles southwest of London. Pink smoke flares were lit, and drums were beaten in a symbolic show of solidarity against the environmentally damaging effects of private jet travel.
Last year, Farnborough Airport submitted an application to increase its maximum number of flights from 50,000 to 70,000 per year. Climate change organizations, including Extinction Rebellion, argue that private jets contribute significantly more to pollution than commercial passenger airlines. According to Extinction Rebellion, flights to and from Farnborough Airport in 2022 had an average of only 2½ passengers per flight.
Greta Thunberg, who has become a prominent figure in the fight against climate change, emphasized the incongruity of private jets in preserving a sustainable future. In a video posted on social media by Extinction Rebellion, Thunberg stated, 'It is clear that private jets are incompatible with ensuring present and future living conditions on this planet. We're not going to let the rich few who are responsible for the majority of aviation emissions get away with sacrificing people and the planet.'
Farnborough Airport responded to the protest by highlighting its role in supporting business and corporate travel. The airport acknowledged the need to reduce its environmental impact while emphasizing its position as one of the largest employment sites in the region. In a statement, the airport stated, 'The airport’s environmental footprint is a fraction that of a traditional commercial airport.'
This demonstration comes ahead of Greta Thunberg's upcoming court appearance in London next week. She faces a public order offense charge stemming from her arrest in October during a protest against an oil and gas industry conference. Thunberg was among the activists charged with attempting to block access to the Energy Intelligence Forum, although she has denied the charge.
The protest against private jets at Farnborough Airport underscores the growing global concern over the environmental impact of air travel and the need for more sustainable alternatives. With Greta Thunberg leading the charge, activists are determined to hold the wealthy accountable for their contribution to climate change and to ensure a livable planet for future generations.
