Aviation people power

It’s time to harness the strength of social media

The health of our rivers, irrigation systems and agriculture seems to have taken up a lot of time on social media over the traditional ‘silly season’. Perhaps the only thing it has demonstrated is how ‘opinion’ is now presented as ‘fact’ and treated as equally valid – and the significant negative consequence this has for informed public debate about complex issues.

The lessons here for aviation policy are profound. Lose the social media argument due to a lack of numbers, an unwillingness to stand up for your industry, or a lack of data and facts, and before you know it you are facing an opportunistic, cynical, unhinged proposed bill to ban the export of cotton. This despite it having zero impact on water available for the environment.