No holidays - carbon footprint

[Teacherbee85]

I've noticed recently whenever anyone posts about flying to go on holiday they tend to get jumped on by people saying it's bad for the environment.

I don't think I know any of these people in real life - everyone I know goes on holiday at least twice a year.

But on mumsnet a lot of people seem to have stopped due to environmental reasons.

If this is you, when did you make the decision? How do you deal with family and friends who so still choose to fly regularly?

So still misunderstanding on purpose.

Any action to reduce is great. Any single action in isolation says nothing about a persons total carbon footprint.

Yes, we went to France on the train last year, it was brilliant! Comfortable, stress free and cheaper. Definitely looking into doing it again, but going on somewhere further probably once my daughter is older.

Yes. Me too. When I spoke to the organisation I said the same as you, but they didn’t rule it out. The employee gets a metaphorical rubber stamp that makes it look good as it’s doing more for the environment. Our Healthboard is doing more now and there was the very comprehensive report about the impact on health that the climate emergency is already having, soooooo you never know!!

I don’t give a flying fuck what others do..,.I certainly no guilt or shame! ….I been abroad by plane 3 times this year and will again and never give ‘ saving the planet a thought’…..but I certainly wouldn’t judge you for doing it…..you wouldn’t make me angry ….I mean why would you?

If they are already own the SUV then not buying the flights is still better than also buying the flights.

Also owning an SUV doesn't change the impact of the flights. Only the size of their overall carbon footprint, so the absence of flights is still a reduction.

(Before you ask, no I don't own an SUV. Or any car).

Oh yes. I see now. That’s true. I could cut down on flying but drive a massive car and eat red meat every day. That’s true. But, generally, the quickest and easiest way to cut your carbon footprint down massively is reduce or cut out flights as they are generally the highest bit of our carbon footprint.

Any reduction is a reduction.

If someone is minded to reduce their carbon footprint, that's a positive action.

What is the issue with going on a cruise ship?

I’m explaining why you might not hear people talking about their reasons for not flying. I don’t tend to because it pisses people off. I am not suggesting you are angry or would be. But, to be honest, and i say this with respect, your post does come across a little angry and, unless I’ve misread the tone, kind of proves my point. 😬

They are really polluting, have high fuel consumption.

I know people who don't go on holiday abroad.

Two have family members with flying phobias
Others just cant afford foreign holidays.

I don't know anyone who doesn't go for environmental reasons.

Incredibly high carbon output. The worst type of holiday for it I think. I looked it up ages ago to see if it would be a good alternative to flying but was horrified.

I do not know anyone in real life that cuts down on holidays for green or environmental reasons

I will not reduce my holidays, I travel in UK & abroad

[waves]

I (and therefore my DC) don't fly, for environmental/ethical reasons.

Holidays in the UK only. I haven't left the UK since 2004 and that was on a ferry - I last flew in about 1983 when it wasn't exactly up to me how I travelled!

I also don't eat meat, for environmental reasons, and I live somewhere with shared resources/living spaces in order to try and lessen my environmental impact.

I do drive a car, but it's a small low emissions car, despite living in a rural area where a 4x4 would actually be justifiable and useful!

Yes, they are really destroying our oceans like nothing else.

Don't be daft, there's no limit is there!

Quick note that flying is a lot worse than other lifestyle choices due to where the emissions are released in the atmosphere. So if you produced the same amount of carbon driving an SUV around as by taking a flight, the flight would still be worse as it speeds up the greenhouse effect.

We do fly occasionally, not this year though, mainly for environmental reasons. I would never say that’s the reason we holiday in the UK though as I don’t want to guilt trip people in casual conversation generally! I think this could explain why more people admit their reasons online.

I know several families who don’t fly for environmental reasons. I don’t know anyone who does not travel though.

I meant that for all the people saying they no longer fly... have airline companies said that less people are actually flying?
Are there some studies on this?

Last year, I wanted to visit family in another European country... I know the rail link is good... think Eurostar to Paris then Paris to destination all on high speed trains. Add a local one ech end and it would have been around 10 hours, so durable. (Flight is roughly 6 hours door to door)
But the cost! Over £400.- for a return ticket!
I get a return flight for £60.- car parking and fuel £90.- onward journey £30.- ... so that's £180.- all in!
We need to make environmentally friendly travel a lot cheaper!

And no, I wouldn't stop travelling while I can and it's affordable. I'd be happy to take a train instead of a flight if the prices were compatible. I mean, I would even pay a bit more, but more than double is out of reach for me.

I am reasonably environmentally aware, but I fly regularly. At least once a month, I’m currently abroad so will be flying week, relaxing for a couple of weeks then flying again.

I have 16 flights booked currently for the rest of this year and early next, and have taken I think 18 flights this year.

every single one of those planes is/was going to fly whether I am on it or not. I feel zero guilt and take a lot of pleasure from the flights themselves and the experiences enjoyed at the other end

I have quite a few friends who have stopped flying for environmental reasons. They would only have flown once a year though, typically.

Parsnip, many kinds of squash, kale, leeks, red cabbage, green cabbage, more kale, sprouts, broccoli. I love our winter veg box. It gets a bit samey but there's always plenty in there. I'd rather that than the April/May salad season.

I know quite a few friends and their families that try and avoid flying now due to environmental reasons. It's not uncommon where we live. They also, us including, avoid unnecessary vehicle use and get around by cycling.

I fly and go on cruises. No DC though by choice, so the flights and cruise holidays I take are more than negated by that.