Aircraft's effect on global warming.

• Position: YOUR LIFE - Brief article

A coalition of environmental groups, states, and regional governments have filed petitions with the Environmental Protection Agency urging it to address the effects of vast amounts of global warming pollution from the world's aircraft fleet. The petitions are the first step in a process that requires the EPA to evaluate the current impacts of aircraft emissions, seek public comment, and develop rules to reduce these emissions or explain why it will not act.

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Aircraft emit huge amounts of carbon dioxide. In fact, the petitions maintain, they currently account for 12% of C[O.sub.2] emissions from U.S. transportation sources and three percent of total carbon dioxide emissions. As a country, the United States is responsible for nearly half of worldwide carbon dioxide emissions from aircraft.

Moreover, aircraft emit nitrogen oxide, known as N[O.sub.x], which contributes to the formation of ozone, another greenhouse gas. Emissions of N[O.sub.x] at high altitudes result in greater...