We are only just beginning to comprehend the effects the human race has on our planet. With nearly 7 billion people here consuming material, creating waste, using up natural resources and polluting the o-zone layer it means that the world cannot endure it forever. And vehicles are responsible for a vast amount of emissions which erode away the natural barrier shielding us from the suns harmful radiation. One mode of transport that contributes most significantly to this problem is aircraft, which unfortunately expel a lot of air pollution and are one the least fuel-efficient ways to travel across the globe.

Fortunately the space cowboys at NASA have taken up the challenge; theyve been investing millions of dollars over the past couple of years into making more environmentally friendly airplanes. This initiative is called N+3 and its primary goal is develop greener aircrafts by the year 2035. There are four major aeronautic companies who were awarded research contracts for N+3 and these are GE Aviation, Boeing, Lockheed Martin and MIT. Their directive is to design planes that create 75% less nitrous oxide - the main air polluting agent, and planes which require 70% less fuel.

But its not just commercial airlines that are endeavouring to improve their fuel efficiency, even companies catering private jet hire are taking up eco concerns and introducing new techniques into the way they operate in order to reduce their carbon footprint. Many are now measuring their carbon emissions with a critical eye so they can operate on a more economical level and help save the planet as well as a lot of money.

Many air charter businesses, both commercial and private, spend half their annual budgets on fuel. So if they can reduce the amount used they are going to considerably reduce their overall outgoings each year. This is the main reason behind them investing in research programs looking to design more eco-friendly aircraft. One such vehicle in the early development stages is a hybrid plane which flies primarily on electricity and bio-fuels and as a result it reduces the fuel use on average by approximately 80%.

This is a fantastic development in the sector of clean aviation, but even more fantastic is news that The Solar Impulse crew have recently had some successful flights of their solar powered airplane. Solar powered planes are the most sustainable aircraft and the best way to move towards cleaner skies as they dont rely on fuel and so dont give off any emissions. Hopefully this is where all aircrafts are headed in the future, flying by natural resources such as the sun, or on renewable energy sources like electricity.

Currently the way most airlines improve their planes' efficiency is by retro-fitting them with more economical features; better engines that burn less fuel and produce less emissions, parts to improve their aerodynamics, etc. The Federal Aviation Administration is encouraging such moves as part of their Continuous Lower Energy, Emissions and Noise program; a project that will promote more sustainable planes and reduce the carbon emissions generated by the aviation industry as a whole.