As 2021 comes to a close and holiday travel increases, we are having a moment of déjà vu as Delta and Omicron spread covid-19 and hospitals brace for the impact. These are frustrating and scary times, as we all experience the fatigue of living with the threat of catching and spreading covid-19. As we have all heard over the past year and a half, perhaps there is a lesson in this to slow down and reassess how we are living our lives. One question to ask ourselves is, “Can we fly less?”
Before hopping on a plane to attend that work meeting, ask yourself (and your boss) if it is truly necessary to have an in-person meeting. So much time and money is wasted with travel that it is often much more efficient and economical to have a zoom meeting or a phone call. In this case (which is often the case), when money is saved it is also directly saving carbon emissions. Air travel produces large amounts of emissions so reducing how much you fly by even one or two trips a year can significantly reduce your annual carbon footprint. (Check out this flight calculator to truly learn how much!) One roundtrip from LAX to NYC produces approximately 1,976 pounds of GHGs, or about 100 gallons of gas.
Work is one thing to reassess, but it is important to reassess personal trips as well. Everyone has certain places on their bucket list, but maybe there are some new places to add to your travel bucket list that don’t require you to hop on a plane? Remember those early days of covid when people rented RVs and embraced road trips? A lot of beautiful travel memories can be made without the negative environmental impact of a flight.
Of course, there are occasions, life events, and work trips that do require flights, and what a wonderful thing that humans have the technology to hop on a plane and see family and friends across the country. When the travel is necessary or truly desired, be sure to offset your travel: EcoWatch recommends SustainableTravel.org for offsetting travel. In addition, when travel is necessary, book the best airline or hotel in terms of their carbon footprint https://thepointsguy.com/news/what-your-favorite-airlines-and-hotels-are-doing-to-fight-climate-change/
As we begin 2022, let’s ask ourselves if it is truly necessary to fly and/or if there is a better option that has less of a negative environmental impact. This is a win-win-win scenario: you will do good for the planet, you will save you and your company money; and you will reduce the risk of contracting and spreading covid-19.
Ready to take action?
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