To ask you to swerve vacations abroad on airplanes

[Happyone99]

Inspired by https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/5433252-to-ask-you-to-swerve-shein-temu?page=24

As mentioned above, I personally don’t use Shein or Temu because they ARE terrible. However, why only change bad things lower income people happen to be involved with, rather than starting with things higher income people are involved with

Slave labour and poor working conditions are indeed terrible. So is the climate crisis, exacerbated by rich people flying on airplanes for vacations, and poor people in low-lying countries like Bangladesh suffer worst environmental consequences

Who are responsible for the most emissions and who are suffering the most?

I’ll keep enjoying my travelling, thanks.

”The environment” doesn’t even stop people attending climate change conferences from getting there via private plane. Not sure it’s your average person causing the most harm, tbh.

I haven't been on a flight in 20 years due to chronic ill health now started a treatment which has finally given me my life back to some extent. I will be flying on holiday later this year and I won't be feeling bad about it.

No what nonsense. You know the people pushing the climate agenda are the ones who travel by private plane and helicopters. The earth has always cooled and warmed. Warming periods are better for humanity but if you want to restrict your life go for it.

Don't have numbers to hand right now but it's a lot, and most passenger flights (especially Long Haul) can be carrying multiple tonnes of freight as belly cargo (and it's often time sensitive stuff such as pharma) in addition to the passengers and their bags...

Agree! How much emissions are caused by war and the bombings in countries around the world? Are these ever factored into how much it's causing environmental damage?!

And 'aeroplane ' not 'airplane'...

So what? There are people from other countries on here.

Well said!

I voted YABU @Happyone99 although I am pro cutting emissions. I did a project at work (government) on this and passenger flights are by no means the biggest offender. Agriculture, Construction, Cargo and Power Generation create the majority of the world's emissions.

if you're going to target aviation, private jets and freight are what needs to be cut. As individuals, the best thing we can do is try and campaign for the government to act.

Really behavioural change has to happen at the government level by taxing behaviour. E.g people wouldn't fly as much if it wasn't so affordable. It's ridiculous that it's cheaper to flyv to Paris than get a train.

I think disposable nappies per child is the equivalent of one holiday or something like that

People dont care about giving those up.

You are from the SE arent you?

Its not just about cost. Its about direct trains from the North of England to anywhere in Europe.

I live in the NW. I wouldn't consider a train. Not merely because the cost is prohibitive but also the logistics of timetables make it ridiculous.

Put on a direct train from Manchester to Amsterdam, perhaps with one planned change, and I'd consider it.

There isn't this option apart from, from London.

THIS is the issue. Not just cost.

It’s all about balance surely though? We usually go abroad on holiday once a year. We always fly. Usually a 4 hour flight each way.

Yes, the plane emissions are high, BUT I don’t drive. So I try not to feel guilty about it!

I hardly ever go on holiday even now, and we never went overseas on holiday as a family when I was growing up. I went on my first airplane in my 20s. So no, I won't stop. Especially when you get people flying 4 or 5 times a year. And not even particularly wealthy people.

I recently worked for a climate change company, and it was full of young people absolutely gunning for everyone aged 40+, screaming how our "constant flying" has destroyed things for them. Their solution? Fly overseas to any and every conference going, to "talk" to like minded people. You can add to that all the actual holidays they took, on top of flying every month for work reasons.

So, no, I won't give up my every-two-years overseas holiday.

*editing to say, I don't have a car and don't drive. I either walk or get the bus.

@Stowickthevast should the government also not regulate companies like Shein/Temu and provide alternatives for behavioral change?

If everyone did what they could give up/reduce then it makes a difference. Some people will be able to catch a bus instead of use the car, some people will reduce meat consumption, some won't fly, etc etc.

Nope. And yes, I do think its very unreasonable to ask.

When it comes to carbon footprint, I don't believe any of us are so perfect that we're in a position to lecturing anyone on their choices.
We have no car and have flown once since Covid, for a family holiday this summer. And I'll be damned if I'm going to feel guilty about that while politicians and celebrities fly around the globe, whilst having the audacity to preach to us about our own footprint. And yes, I include the likes of the weirdly-lauded David Attenborough, who had his enjoyment exploring this world but doesn't think the rest of us should see any of it.

And if any airline wants to set up a reasonably priced domestic route between my local airport and the one near my family down South, I'll be on that with no guilt too. Better that than a 6 hour train journey, changing in London with two tubes, paying £300 for the privilege on services that couldn't be less accommodating to young children if they tried.

People can buy whatever they like. I don’t care. It’s none of my business where you shop. I like to buy my clothes for example in person and try them on. I also like to know the things I buy can be easily returned if needed, so I choose not to shop at cheap places on line. But each to their own.

Realistically, I’m not 100% sure how ethically anything is made.

Your brave OP!

Unfortunately many people feel their holidays are more important than other peoples lives.

Whereas I don't fly, but use a car. Doing what we can in different ways!

So true. Even the original (now scrapped) plans for HS2 to go to Manchester was flawed as it still involved changing trains/stations in London, so there'd never have been direct trains between NW England and main land Europe. As it is, we'll continue to suffer a crap and expensive train service between the NW and London, still have to trek between stations, all before getting a direct train across the Channel, and HS2 will barely improve that as it would probably involve a further change at Birmingham.

Nobody is going to be guilt tripped by your melodrama.

Rubbish. It's that most people realise that giving up their holidays won't make one jot of difference to other people, climate change etc. It's like wetting yourself in dark trousers - you get a warm feeling but no one else notices nor cares!

Flying is legal.

Buying from Temu is legal.

Putting the heating on full blast is legal.

Nobody needs to worry.

Out of interest, what percentage of global emissions are created by the U.K.?

I will continue to get on a plane to see my immediate family abroad.

There is far too much plane travel for business.

It isn’t anyone’s God given right to go abroad on holiday and lower income people still
go abroad. Choose more carbon friendly solutions.