Some people think that air travel should be reduced because it causes a lot of pollution and uses up too much of the world's energy. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Some people believe that we should reduce air travel because it causes pollution and uses a lot of energy. I disagree with this idea. Although air travel does pollute the environment, I think reducing flights is not the best solution. Instead, we should focus on new technology and better policies to make air travel more sustainable.有人认为，我们应该减少航空出行，因为它会造成污染并消耗大量能源。我不同意这种看法。尽管航空出行确实会污染环境，但我认为减少航班并非最佳解决方案。相反，我们应该专注于新技术和更好的政策，使航空出行更加可持续。

It is true that air travel produces a large amount of greenhouse gases and uses a lot of energy. However, flying also connects people, businesses and cultures around the world, and this connection is growing fast in Vietnam, where domestic flights now link Hanoi, Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City every day. In my own job as an operations supervisor for a retail company, I often need to work with suppliers in other provinces, and this is only possible quickly because of air travel. If we simply reduced flights, it would slow down economic growth and make it harder for people and businesses to stay connected.确实，航空出行会产生大量温室气体并消耗大量能源。然而，飞行也将世界各地的人们、企业和文化联系在一起，这种联系在越南正在快速增长，如今国内航班每天都连接着河内、岘港和胡志明市。在我作为一家零售公司运营主管的工作中，我经常需要与其他省份的供应商合作，而这只有借助航空出行才能快速实现。如果我们简单地减少航班，将会拖慢经济增长的步伐，也会让人们和企业更难保持联系。

A better solution is to invest in greener technology and more sustainable infrastructure. This is similar to what has happened in city planning. For example, in Ho Chi Minh City, the Nhiêu Lộc – Thị Nghè canal, which used to be very polluted, was cleaned up and now has paths for walking and cycling. I now cycle along this canal to reach my bus stop every day, instead of using my motorbike. This kind of improvement has made life better for local people and also created new cafés and businesses nearby. The same idea, investing in better systems instead of simply cutting activity, could also work for the aviation industry.更好的解决方案是投资于更环保的技术和更可持续的基础设施。这与城市规划领域已经发生的变化类似。例如在胡志明市，曾经污染严重的饶禄-市义运河如今已被治理，并新建了步行和骑行道路。我现在每天沿着这条运河骑车前往公交车站，而不是骑摩托车。这种改善不仅让当地居民的生活变得更好，还带动了附近新咖啡馆和商店的兴起。同样的思路，即投资更好的系统而不是简单地削减活动，也可以适用于航空业。

In conclusion, although air travel does affect the environment, reducing flights is too simple a solution. It would be better to develop sustainable aviation fuel, make planes more efficient, and build eco-friendly infrastructure so that people can keep travelling without damaging the environment as much.总之，尽管航空出行确实会影响环境，但减少航班是一种过于简单的解决方案。更好的做法是开发可持续航空燃料，提高飞机的效率，并建设环保型基础设施，让人们能够继续出行，同时减少对环境的破坏。

The idea that air travel should be cut back because of its pollution and heavy energy use is becoming more common. While I accept that aviation does have a real environmental impact, I disagree that reducing flights is the most effective response. A better focus would be on developing sustainable alternatives and encouraging technological progress within the industry.认为应因污染和高能耗而削减航空出行的观点正日益普遍。尽管我承认航空业确实对环境有真实影响，但我不认同减少航班是最有效的应对方式。更好的着力点应是发展可持续替代方案，并推动该行业的技术进步。

It cannot be denied that commercial aviation contributes significantly to greenhouse gas emissions and consumes large amounts of energy. However, calling for a widespread reduction ignores the important role air travel plays in trade, cultural exchange and personal relationships, a role that is expanding quickly in Vietnam, where domestic airlines now connect Hanoi, Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City multiple times a day. As an operations supervisor for a retail chain, I regularly need to coordinate with suppliers in different provinces, and this is only efficient because of air transport. Cutting back on flights would therefore not only slow economic development but also weaken the exchange of ideas that benefits communities across the country.不可否认，商业航空对温室气体排放的贡献巨大，并消耗大量能源。然而，呼吁大规模削减航班却忽视了航空出行在贸易、文化交流和人际关系中所扮演的重要角色，而这一角色在越南正迅速扩大，如今国内航空公司每天多次连接河内、岘港和胡志明市。作为一家零售连锁企业的运营主管，我经常需要与不同省份的供应商协调工作，而这只有借助航空运输才能高效完成。因此，削减航班不仅会拖慢经济发展，还会削弱惠及全国各地社区的思想交流。

A more useful approach would be to invest in cleaner aviation technology and stronger, sustainable infrastructure, similar to changes that have already transformed urban planning without reducing convenience. In Ho Chi Minh City, for example, the once heavily polluted Nhiêu Lộc – Thị Nghè canal was rehabilitated into a nine-kilometre corridor with dedicated cycling and walking paths. I personally benefit from this, having switched from a motorbike to a bicycle for part of my daily commute. This change has improved local well-being and encouraged new riverside cafés and businesses, showing that large-scale investment can solve environmental problems while still improving quality of life, an approach that could equally apply to aviation.更有效的做法是投资于更清洁的航空技术和更强大、更可持续的基础设施，这与已经改变城市规划、同时又不牺牲便利性的变化如出一辙。例如在胡志明市，曾经污染严重的饶禄-市义运河被改造成一条长九公里、设有专用骑行道和步行道的绿色走廊。我本人也从中受益，将日常通勤的一部分从骑摩托车改为骑自行车。这一改变提升了当地居民的福祉，也带动了新的临河咖啡馆和商店，说明大规模投资既能解决环境问题，又能提升生活质量，这一思路同样适用于航空业。

In conclusion, although the environmental impact of air travel is a genuine concern, simply reducing flights is too simple a solution and could cause real harm. A more effective strategy would involve speeding up the development of sustainable aviation fuels, improving aircraft efficiency, and building infrastructure that supports eco-friendly transport, protecting the environment while keeping people connected.总之，尽管航空出行对环境的影响是一个真实存在的问题，但仅仅减少航班是一种过于简单、甚至可能造成实际损害的解决方案。更有效的策略应是加快可持续航空燃料的开发，提升飞机效率，并建设支持环保交通的基础设施，从而在保护环境的同时保持人与人之间的联系。

The assertion that air travel should be curtailed due to its significant environmental footprint and energy consumption is a viewpoint gaining traction. While I acknowledge the genuine ecological concerns associated with aviation, I disagree that a reduction in flights is the most pragmatic or effective solution; rather, the focus should be on fostering sustainable alternatives and technological innovation within the industry.认为应减少航空旅行的观点正逐渐获得支持，理由是航空旅行造成了严重的环境影响并消耗了大量能源。虽然我承认与航空业相关的生态问题确实存在，但我不认同减少航班是最务实或最有效的解决方案；相反，重点应放在推动行业内可持续替代方案和技术创新上。

Undeniably, commercial aviation contributes substantially to greenhouse gas emissions and depletes finite energy reserves. However, advocating for a widespread reduction overlooks the intricate web of commerce, cultural exchange, and personal connections that air travel facilitates — a web that is expanding rapidly in Vietnam, where domestic carriers now connect Hanoi, Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City several times a day. My own role as an operations supervisor for a retail chain often requires me to coordinate with suppliers and partners across different provinces, a task made efficient only by the speed of air logistics. Curtailing this vital link would not only hinder economic growth but also impede the cross-pollination of ideas and cultures that enriches communities across the country.不可否认，商业航空确实对温室气体排放有着相当大的影响，并消耗着有限的能源储备。然而，主张大规模减少航班的做法，忽视了航空旅行所促进的商业、文化交流和个人联系这一复杂网络——而这张网络在越南正快速扩展，如今国内航空公司每天多次往返飞行连接河内、岘港与胡志明市。我作为一家零售连锁企业运营主管的工作，常常需要与不同省份的供应商和合作伙伴协调，而这项工作唯有依靠航空物流的速度才能高效完成。限制这一重要联系，不仅会阻碍经济增长，也会妨碍思想与文化在全国范围内的交融，而这种交融正是丰富各地社区的重要力量。

A more forward-thinking approach involves investing in greener aviation technologies and developing robust, sustainable infrastructure. This mirrors the transformation seen in urban planning, where systemic changes yield significant environmental benefits without sacrificing utility. In Ho Chi Minh City, for example, the rehabilitation of the once-notoriously polluted Nhiêu Lộc – Thị Nghè canal transformed a nine-kilometre stretch of the city into a corridor with dedicated cycling and walking paths. I personally benefit from this, having switched from riding a motorbike to cycling along the canal to my nearest bus stop for my daily commute. This infrastructure improvement has not only boosted local well-being but also fostered new riverside cafés and community businesses, demonstrating how smart, large-scale initiatives can effectively address environmental challenges while enhancing quality of life — a principle equally applicable to aviation.一种更具前瞻性的做法是投资于更环保的航空技术，并建设稳健、可持续的基础设施。这与城市规划中出现的转型颇为相似——系统性的变革能够带来显著的环境效益，同时不牺牲实用性。以胡志明市为例，曾经污染严重、臭名远扬的乂旅-市义运河经过整治，将市中心长达九公里的河段改造成了拥有专用骑行道和步道的绿色走廊。我本人也从中受益：如今我每天骑车沿运河前往最近的公交车站，取代了原先骑摩托车通勤的方式。这项基础设施的改善不仅提升了当地居民的生活品质，还带动了沿河新咖啡馆和社区商业的兴起，展示了智慧的大规模举措如何在应对环境挑战的同时提升生活质量——这一原则同样适用于航空领域。

In conclusion, although the environmental impact of air travel is a legitimate concern, simply reducing flights presents an overly simplistic and ultimately detrimental solution. A more sophisticated strategy involves accelerating the development and adoption of sustainable aviation fuels, improving aircraft efficiency, and investing in infrastructure that supports eco-friendly transit, ensuring both environmental stewardship and continued connectivity.总之，尽管航空旅行对环境的影响是一个合理的担忧，但简单地减少航班只是一种过于简化、最终也会适得其反的解决方案。更为周全的策略应包括加快可持续航空燃料的开发与应用、提升飞机能效，以及投资支持环保交通的基础设施，从而在保护环境的同时，维持持续的连接性。