Some books I highly recommend:
Take Back
the Sky: Protecting Communities in the Path of Aviation Expansion
Sierra Club Books, 2004
This book examines the commercial interests driving aviation expansion in the US, and how citizens can regain control of their local skies. André draws on her own experience as a 'flight-path dweller' in
Massachusetts and she looks at the struggles of several airport
communities in the US. When the book was written upwards of 2,000 airports were pursuing expansion plans, regardless of the impacts on neighbouring communities, blighted by noise and harmful air pollutants. The role of regulatory bodies, and how they have been captured to protect unbridled commercial interests, is examined.
Trafford Publishing, 2011
The author of this book spent 17 years campaigning against a third runway at Sea-Tac (Seattle Tacoma) Airport and investigating the environmental and health damage. She uncovered alarming evidence of higher rates of certain types of cancer and respiratory diseases in communities living near airports.
Tangled Wings: Gatwick seen through green-tinted glasses
by Brendon Sewill
Aviation Environment Federation, 2012
Brendon Sewill has served as chair of Gatwick Area Conservation Committee since 1990. Gatwick, in southeast England, is one of few major airports to have just one runway, largely due to the tenacity of residents of a small village, Charlwood, in fending off expansion plans. This book documents the campaign, from petitions to public meetings, from opposing planning applications to sending photographs of every house that stood to be demolished to the UK Prime Minister.
Climate Change and Aviation: Issues, Challenges and Solutions
edited by Stefan Gossling and Paul Upham
Earthscan, 2009
This book tackles the complexities of aviation's climate impacts, the response from the industry and governments, and the wider sociopolitical context. Issues of equity and comparative emissions are addressed in sections on frequent flyers and hypermobile travellers. Other contributors provide an in-depth and balanced assessments of the potential for technological advancements to reduce aviation's greenhouse gas emissions.
Transport Revolutions: Moving People and Freight Without Oil by Richard Gilbert and Anthony Perl
New Society Publishers, 2010
Aviation's contribution to greenhouse gas emissions, and the need to constrain growth, making a modal shift to surface transport where possible, is well recognised. This book looks at how to actually bring this about. Various scenarios for more sustainable long-distance transportation, considering the influence of key factors such as the oil price, are explored.Why Noise
Matters: A Worldwide Perspective on the Problems, Policies and Solutions
Earthscan, 2011
Evidence of increased risk of serious health damage from noise, including high blood pressure, is mounting. This book covers many sources of high noise levels, from all kinds of transport to workplace machinery, from piped music to noisy neighbours. Communities living near airports and under flightpaths are subjected to particularly high levels of aircraft noise. It is not merely an unpleasant inconvenience.
Air Transport and the Environment by Ben Daley
Ashgate, 2010
This book provides a comprehensive overview of aviation's environmental impacts, encompassing air pollution, aircraft noise, the contribution to climate change, ecological damage from construction of airports, habitat degradation, land contamination, waste generation, water consumption and water pollution. In addition, it is an important analysis of many aspects of the social and economic impacts of aviation, asking critical questions about, and offering many insights into, the costs and benefits.
The History of Air Cargo and Airmail from the 18th Century by Camille Allaz
Christopher Foyle Publishing in association with The International Air Cargo Association, 2005
This book is a thorough, well informed and humorous account of the history of air cargo, from the earliest hot air balloons to express, all categories from airmail, flowers to livestock, consumer goods and industrial equipment. The book is enthusiastic about the air cargo industry, whereas I am critical of it and advocate shifting transport of goods to road, rail and ship where possible. Yet this aviation enthusiast's bible does not shy away from some of the flaws and failings of the industry.