A survey conducted by the Consumer Science & Analytics Institute (CSA) found that 41 percent of French citizens over the age of 18 are in favor of limiting every person to taking only four plane trips throughout their lifetime to combat climate change. It is even higher among the 18-24 demographic—a stunning 59 percent responded that they would be in favor of the mandated limitation on travel.
The proposal came from engineer Jean-Marc Jancovici in May as a method to reduce the carbon footprint in the aviation industry. The survey, which questioned 1,010 French residents over the age of 18 found that the restrictions were more popular among the younger population.
Of those under the age of 35, 48 percent supported the restrictions, and 59 percent of those 18-24 were in favor. When asked if they were in favor of reducing their use of airplanes in the medium term for environmental reasons 64 percent of respondents were in favor, and 72 percent of those under 35.
Philippine van Tichelen, general director at the tourism organization HERE, said of the results, "These figures show a very clear majority in favor of reducing the use of planes." He continued, "Ecological awareness is obvious, in a context where natural disasters worsened by global warming (extreme heatwaves, fires, etc.) themselves have repercussions on the vacation plans of the French in Greece and Italy in the very short term."
"Added to this is also the impact of inflation and the increase in the cost of air travel, which in the medium term is directing the French towards other modes of transport for their travel," Tichelen noted.
Climate change initiatives have been the focus for much of the world leadership for several years. President Joe Biden called climate change "the existential threat to humanity" in June and vowed to take action to fight it, including banning the use of incandescent light bulbs.
Recently, the administration began canceling all remaining oil and gas leases in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and continued to push car manufacturers to create more electronic vehicles over gas-powered ones.
