Hi Alex
Well I don't suppose much of the damage done to the environment is done
specifically for the purpose of damaging the environment, surely it is just
a consequence of particular forms of behaviour that have objectives other
than causing damage for it's own sake. What is the point of encouraging
people to car pool (an oft cited mechanism for solving the climate change
problem) when people aren't driving in order to damage the environment, but
in order to work/shop/play?
It's not a principle unless it costs you something, as someone once said. If
your desire to maintain far flung friendships and relationships is more
important than trying to live within a self imposed equitable carbon ration
then that is your decision to make. I was just saying what belief systems
underpinned my decision to not fly. I'm not judging anyone for deciding
otherwise.
Best
Chris
----- Original Message -----
From: "Alex Sampson" <[log in to unmask]>
To: "Chris" <[log in to unmask]>; <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Friday, February 02, 2007 8:27 AM
Subject: Re: Travel to Barcelona
> Hi
>
> Sorry, I don't really follow your argument here.
> Whilst I understand your concerns about the industrial
> order I don't see how this translates into a decision
> not to visit friends and relatives. Surely developing
> and maintainting human relationships is worth a few
> tonnes of carbon? After all, most people travel for
> this purpose -- not because they are deliberately
> trying to damage the environment.
>
> Alex
>
> --- Chris <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>
>> I subscribed to a list titled crisis-forum, because
>> I pretty much identified
>> with the mission statement/ statement of values,
>> about the whole industrial
>> way of being in the world as creating a crisis. Do I
>> think this crisis can
>> be resolved whilst continuing with this way of being
>> in the world? Not
>> really. Do I want to work towards the maintenance of
>> the industrial order?
>> No. Do I think a non-industrial world can support
>> several hundred different
>> airlines, and the associated global infrastructure?
>> Probably not. So for me
>> to fly would be in direct contradiction to my
>> beliefs and principles, and
>> though I have close family in other parts of the
>> world I will not be flying
>> to see them, no matter how much I miss them. But I
>> wouldn't damn anyone else
>> for choosing otherwise, and an emotive word such as
>> sin is bound to get
>> peoples' backs up. .
>>
>> Best
>>
>> Chris
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: "Dan Welch" <[log in to unmask]>
>> To: <[log in to unmask]>
>> Sent: Wednesday, January 24, 2007 5:37 PM
>> Subject: Re: Travel to Barcelona
>>
>>
>> >I think there is a certain conflation going on
>> between a) flying as a
>> > component of an individual's carbon footprint and
>> b) air travel as a
>> > rapidly
>> > rising proportion of total carbon emissions. Air
>> travel in itself is not a
>> > uniquely inefficient and wasteful way to travel
>> (although short-haul
>> > flights
>> > are), comparable to a single person driving and,
>> as far as I'm aware (and
>> > I
>> > was surprised the ratio was not higher) two to
>> three times as carbon
>> > intensive as high speed train travel (including .
>> The problem therefore is
>> > the distance travelled enabled by flying, or
>> rather the distance that can
>> > be
>> > travelled in such a short time by flying. So on an
>> individual level one
>> > might be able to allow oneself air travel very
>> occasionally if cutting
>> > your
>> > carbon budget in other ways. On a global level
>> however there are not the
>> > carbon savings to be had to allow increasing air
>> travel. It's important to
>> > get the message out about air travel but I think
>> we need to be wary of
>> > feeling guilty if we don't vow never to get on a
>> plane again. I have
>> > immediate family on three continents, as do many -
>> I don't intend to visit
>> > every year but when I do I'm going to want to
>> trade off two weeks spent at
>> > sea against saving carbon in other ways.
>> >
>> > -----Original Message-----
>> > From: Discussion list for the Crisis Forum
>> > [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of
>> Alex Sampson
>> > Sent: 24 January 2007 12:42
>> > To: [log in to unmask]
>> > Subject: Travel to Barcelona
>> >
>> >
>> > Dear all
>> >
>> > I would like to pose a question. Is flying a sin?
>> >
>> > RSVP
>> >
>> > Alex
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>>
>
>
>
>
>
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