If you want to survey a huge area (as opposed to your back yard or a local football field), a plane is still your best bet.
>Sure, carbon tax, how does the tax reduce carbon emissions? If all the resourced individuals you mention just pay it? That only works if it is a disincentive. If they all pay it then no reduction occurs.
A carbon tax targets the entire economy, not just general aviation. The aim therefore isn't necessarily to reduce carbon emissions in general aviation in particular, but to reduce carbon emissions in the entire economy in areas where it would be the most cost effective and least disruptive. That said general aviation isn't a homogeneous group and there is certainly going to be people on the margins (ie. they like flying but they aren't going to spend $1000 more per year on the hobby), and they'll be the ones that will stop flying.