Climate Change Grounds Planes, Amplifying Airport Noise Pollution

According to a recent study, the noise from departing aircraft at major European airports is set to get significantly worse due to the effects of climate change. Researchers from the University of Reading warn that warmer air resulting from global warming will reduce the lift force on aircraft shortly after takeoff, causing them to stay closer to the ground for longer periods.

This means that residents living near airports like London's Heathrow, Gatwick, and City Airport will be increasingly plagued by the constant hum of jet engines as planes fly lower over their homes. The study estimates that by 2050, the number of people affected by this noise pollution could increase by up to 4% if greenhouse gas emissions are not reduced.

The problem is not limited to the UK, however. The study also examined the impacts at 30 other major European airports, including Dublin, Brussels, Amsterdam, Lisbon, and Zurich. Across the continent, the team found that departing aircraft climb angles will decrease by an average of 1-3%, with individual hot days potentially reducing them by up to 7.5%.

This issue is just one of the many ways climate change is disrupting the aviation industry. The researchers also caution that increased turbulence and more frequent airport flooding will pose "profound implications for aviation safety" in the coming decades. Addressing the root cause of global warming by curbing greenhouse gas emissions will be crucial to mitigating these unwelcome consequences for both air travelers and those on the ground.