Flippant Flights: The Issue of Globailisation
I’m sure everyone is used to hearing the phrase ‘in these unprecedented times’ or more likely, are extremely sick of it. The Coronavirus outbreak has challenged us beyond belief, forcing us to reevaluate how we function as a society. Undoubtedly, the major focus has been on healthcare, yet we’ve also seen some fantastic heart-warming global news. From the unpolluted waterways of Venice allowing residents to see fish for the first time, to extremely rare and even thought to be extinct animals wandering around usually bustling cities. It’s clear the self-isolation of our species can bring about huge environmental changes.
As a result of global isolation, a striking topic of conversation has emerged as we’ve seen a global drop in carbon emissions as flights are grounded and borders are closing. The climate crisis has been a challenging issue way long before the Coronavirus outbreak, yet being unable to carry on as usual forces us to evaluate our behaviour and raises the question of whether we need to be flying so frequently if the effects are so detrimental to our planet. Obviously telling people not to go on a well-deserved holiday to reduce global carbon emissions is going to go down like a lead balloon.
Although it’s great to visit tropical and exotic places, there are some wonderful hidden gems right here in the UK which are often overlooked as an option. With the prices of flights equating to the price of some train tickets, it seems stupid not to jump on a booze cruise to Budapest or rather than a cramped train journey to the Peak District, I mean who wouldn’t want to explore a new country or experience a completely different culture? Not forgetting the promise of guaranteed sunshine, which is a must for most of us Brits. I’d describe these modern attitudes towards flying as flippant, perhaps due to increased disposable income or more freedom. Should we accept this flippancy? Should we carry on as usual after we’re out of lockdown?
Taking a relaxed approach is no longer acceptable in my opinion. If we want a beautiful planet to explore, we’ve got to save it. Which may mean taking fewer flights and planning holidays closer to home. If you aren’t prepared to give up your long-haul lusting then why not try and ensure your journeys are as environmentally friendly as possible; making sure there are no stopovers is one option when travelling huge distances. Websites such as ‘Skyscanner’ do the work for you and highlight the green journeys.
Short-haul journeys tend to be more damaging to the environment as a huge amount of carbon dioxide is still emitted, just over a shorter period. When possible, it's best to travel over land taking an alternative form of transport such as a bus or train. Some areas of the world are perfect for this i.e. Asia, South America. You can get from A to B cheaply and efficiently, plus you’ll probably be putting money into the pockets of locals. So, with a variety of more Eco-friendly travel options, we can come together to make some small personal sacrifices that would be greatly appreciated by the planet.
For some, flying may be the only logical and accessible option i.e. those with small kids or those with health issues. If this is you and you have some extra money to spare, you can actually offset your carbon dioxide emissions by purchasing carbon credits. There are easy ways to calculate your carbon footprint online and buy credits accordingly, with some companies this means building a forest and others fund the transition to solely using sustainable methods in the future. You don’t even have to fly, you can just sign up for monthly plans just to do a bit of good.
As consumers, we also have the right to demand more from the big companies making travelling possible. Why should we have to alter our behaviours if they continue ‘business as usual’? As consumers, we can demand the use of alternative, greener fuel sources. Older planes tend to use more harmful fuels and are less economical, just like cars. Therefore we need to increase the pressure on airlines to upgrade older aircraft or invest in newer fuel-efficient models. Obviously that’s a touchy subject at the moment.
It’s not to say airlines aren’t already making greener decisions; British Airways have invested in technology to turn our food waste into biofuels which will power their jets. Many airlines also provide their customers with bio-degradable wares on-board, avoiding plastic where possible and cutting out in-flight magazines.
Ultimately, there is still a long way to go concerning greener aviation. It can also be very overwhelming as we’re constantly bombarded with information about what we should or shouldn’t be doing or what is or isn’t harming the planet. My advice is to do your research and spend the extra pennies, mother nature will thank you! If you’re interested in seeing which airlines are greener click here.
If you’re curious about travelling ‘locally’ why not try some of Britain’s hidden gems.
Written by Kelsey Goldstein
I’m Kelsey, 23 and recently graduated from Bristol University. I’m currently living at home, saving to go travelling ASAP. Dogs and food are my everything.