On a down note as we prepare to enter summer travel season, it turns out that airplanes produce even more emissions than previous studies reported. Air travel apparently generates the equivalent of half the emissions of the EU, a full 20% more than past estimates.

A partnership between the EU and U.S. produced a report, “Trends in Global Aviation Noise and Emissions from Commercial Aviation for 2000 to 2025," indicating that emissions increases will outpace technological advances. This ‘suppressed’ report, kept in the twilight zone after not being featured at a conference last year, indicates that airlines have a long way to go if they're to be fuel efficient, let alone carbon neutral.

Airlines, not included in the Kyoto protocol, have suffered enormous fiscal losses this year, in part due to rapidly rising fuel costs. The top three airlines (American, Delta and United) have begun to charge a $10 per trip fuel surcharge to address the issue. Industry representatives explain that, environment aside, the airline industry has plenty of motivation to focus on efficiency. Continental is testing alternative jet fuels and new models boast 20% fuel savings on 737s.

Something has to give; this year has been one of the worst years for airline customer satisfaction ever recorded.

Read more at Wired.