No Fly Challenge
Welcome to MCP’s No Fly Challenge!
The MCP committee, aware that I had made a No Fly pledge, asked me if I would provide a page dedicated to expressing concern about Climate Change through not flying – and here it is. In this first edition, I have included notes on non-flying travel options, especially train travel, and articles by MCP members. The link at the bottom of the page opens a doument including facts and figures on greenhouse gas emissions relating to air travel, a personal article on why I have decided not to fly, and an interview with Alison Lowdon in which she explains how she and her family travelled to Greece by train!
My hope is that we can in Marlborough build up a significant group of those who have decided not to fly on holiday in order to reduce our carbon emissions, to share our travel experiences, and offer encouragement to others to join us. If you have made a No Fly pledge, please let us know through the MCP email at: info@climatepledge.org.uk
Michael Reynolds, MCP member
February 2008
Why a No Fly Challenge?
Not flying on holiday...
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Can result in a very significant reduction in an individual's CO2 emissions
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is practical and easy to implement - you just do it!
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Signifies a willingness to make a real sacrifice - who of us has not at some time enjoyed the benefits of cheap air travel?
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Has the potential to be noticed by Government
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Benefits the UK's tourist industry and reduces the UK's trade deficit.
I am aware that some people feel that it is right to continue to fly on holiday to developing countries in order to support their tourist industries. However, I believe that in the long run such travel is not sustainable. Ultimately it will not make sense to support the tourist industries of developing countries if the cost of our support is climate change that will damage the very countries we are trying to help.
There may also be concern about the hundreds of thousands of people in the UK who work in the aerospace and air travel industries. I would suggest that the vast human resources that are currently devoted to air travel could be redirected to the development of a massive renewable energy programme.
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