Planes Take Longer Trips Because of the War in Ukraine: Why This is Important for Our Planet!
Imagine you want to go visit your Grandma, but a big road is closed! You have to take a different, longer way around. That’s a bit like what’s happening with airplanes right now because of the war in Ukraine.
A few years ago, in February 2022, a big problem started in a country called Ukraine. Some countries near it started fighting. This fighting made it unsafe for airplanes to fly over certain areas.
So, what does this mean for the planes?
Think of the sky as a big map. Before the war, planes flying from one place to another would often take the shortest route, like drawing a straight line on the map. But now, because they can’t fly over the fighting, they have to take detours. These detours are like taking a winding road instead of a straight one – they are much longer!
Why is this a problem?
When planes fly for a longer time, they need more fuel. Fuel is what makes the plane go! And when planes burn more fuel, they make more CO2.
What is CO2?
CO2, or carbon dioxide, is a gas. It’s like a blanket that wraps around our Earth. A little bit of this blanket is good because it keeps our planet warm enough for us to live. But, when we make too much CO2, the blanket gets too thick! This makes our planet get too hot, and that’s called climate change.
So, the longer flights mean more CO2, which makes our planet hotter. That’s not good for anyone, is it?
Scientists, like the amazing people at Sorbonne University who told us about this, are always studying these kinds of things. They use their knowledge of science to understand how the world works and how our actions affect it.
How can science help?
- Tracking the flights: Scientists can use super-smart computers and data to see where planes are flying and how much fuel they are using. This helps them understand the problem.
- Finding new routes: They can also help figure out the shortest possible new routes that are still safe, even with the detours. It’s like finding the best way around that closed road!
- Making planes better: Scientists and engineers are always working to make airplanes that use less fuel. This could mean designing lighter planes or engines that are more efficient. Imagine a car that needs less petrol to go the same distance – that’s what they’re trying to do with planes!
- Understanding climate change: Science helps us understand why climate change is happening and what we can do about it. It teaches us about the CO2 blanket and how we can make it just the right thickness again.
What can we do?
Even though we are children, we can still help!
- Learn about our planet: The more you learn about science and our Earth, the more you’ll want to protect it. Read books, watch documentaries, and ask questions!
- Save energy: Turn off lights when you leave a room, and don’t leave electronics plugged in when you’re not using them. This helps reduce the need for electricity, which often makes CO2.
- Walk or bike: For short trips, walking or cycling is a great way to get around and is much better for our planet than driving or flying.
- Talk about it: Share what you learn with your friends and family. The more people understand, the more we can work together.
The situation with the planes is a reminder that big events in the world can have unexpected effects on our environment. But it also shows us how important science is! Scientists are the detectives of our world, solving problems and helping us find solutions for a healthier planet. Maybe one day, you will be a scientist too, helping to make the world a better place!
The AI has delivered the news.
The following question was used to generate the response from Google Gemini:
At 2025-02-13 09:22, Sorbonne University published ‘Guerre en Ukraine : les avions obligés d’emprunter des itinéraires plus longs, augmentant les émissions de CO2’. Please write a detailed article with related information, in simple language that children and students can understand, to encourage more children to be interested in science. Please provide only the article in English.