Hawaiian Airlines is the first U.S. airline to join an innovative new research project in the fight against climate change.
On Monday, the airline announced it had outfitted one of its planes with a special monitor that will collect air samples and measure greenhouse gases during flight.
Data from the new monitor will be sent to scientists at about 200 universities around the world, who will use it to improve weather forecasts and climate models as they look to better understand air quality and climate change.
Hawaiian Airlines’ move is part of a worldwide research initiative to outfit commercial planes with tools that collect atmospheric data. Other airlines like Lufthansa and Air France are already collecting data with their planes abroad. Scientists say the data from Hawaiian’s plane will be especially helpful because of its many routes across the Pacific Ocean.
As a travel option in itself, flying is far from sustainable. Airlines, plane manufacturers and scientists are constantly looking for ways to lessen its impact on the environment. You can do your part by making smart choices about when and with which airline you fly.
Happy travels!
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