Thunberg Takes On Private Jets: Climate Activist Protests Against Aviation Emissions

Climate activist Greta Thunberg made her voice heard on Saturday as she joined hundreds of local residents and activists in a march to protest the use of private jets and the expansion of Farnborough Airport in southern England. The airport, which mostly serves private aircraft, applied last year to increase its maximum number of flights from 50,000 to 70,000 a year, sparking outrage from climate change groups including Extinction Rebellion. Thunberg and other activists held banners and placards reading "Ban Private Jets" as they made their way to the airport, with some beating drums and others lighting pink smoke flares.

Extinction Rebellion has pointed out that private jets are much more polluting than commercial passenger airliners, and flights to and from Farnborough Airport carried an average of only 2½ passengers per flight in 2022. Thunberg, a Swedish environmental campaigner who has inspired a global youth movement against climate change, spoke out against the use of private jets, stating, "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, however, defended its practices, stating that it serves as an important hub for business and corporate travel and recognizes the importance of reducing its environmental impact. Despite this, Thunberg is expected to appear at a court in London next week to face a public order offense charge after being arrested during a demonstration against a major oil and gas industry conference. Thunberg and other activists were charged for seeking to block access to the Energy Intelligence Forum, but have continued to speak out against the harmful effects of private jets and the need for greater action against climate change.