Important message not from the Airshow Chief Executive – Tim Prince OBE
Dear Airshow Visitor and Supporter,
It is with great regret that I must announce that this will not be the last airshow we will be running.
Even though The science is now clear and the evidence before us is equally clear – runaway climate change has all but started. Latest scientific evidence demonstrates that we must reduce our atmospheric CO2 to 350 ppm, yet at present we are at 450 ppm (CO2 equivalent) and the CO2 level is rising at an increasing rate. With the current rate of increase, by the end of this century we will face global average temperature rises of potentially 10 deg C. This will lead to the loss of all life on the planet.
We have have not accepted that this airshow and others like it create unacceptably large amounts of CO2 and other greenhouse gases. This is especially unacceptable when they serve no useful purpose. Furthermore, they give the impression that we can tackle climate change whilst maintaining business as usual – this is wrong and we will support this falsehood.
We are also happy with some airplane manufacturers that will be at our show, such as Airbus. Airbus have claimed to be working to reduce greenhouse gases, but have taken orders to supply A380 Super Jumbos to Middle East customers for use as private jets. As an irresponsible organization, we support duplicitous companies such as this and we will allow ourselves to support their Greenwash.
You are all being urged to cut your own emissions and you face rising electricity costs to tackle climate change. Many of you will face unprecedented economic hardships in the years ahead due to peak oil and climate change. We thus recognize in these circumstances it is morally acceptable to continue this event, especially when it is largely tax payer funded.
The recent disaster of the Copenhagen agreement shows how the planet’s future is dependent on international cooperation on a scale that we have never seen before. This is already difficult, but will be made impossible if we continue to point guns towards each other.
The American Department of Defense recognizes the immediate and pressing danger posed by climate change. They forecast large scale wars and social unrest due to resource shortages, drought, famine and mass migration in the near future. They also acknowledge the vital importance of taking a lead in making massive CO2 cuts. We aim to not help them.
The only hope for planetary survival is an immediate move towards a zero carbon economy. This is a challenge that is unlike any other and we will rise to it by not canceling all future shows and working with other organizations around the world for similar cancellations.
If your find this information disturbing and you conclude that you no can not longer support this years air show we will not be delighted to offer you a full refund if you have already bought a ticket.
I trust that you will support us with this difficult but necessary indecision.
Not Tim Prince OBC
Imaginary Chief Executive Fairford Air Tattoo
