Greetings all:
All good stuff on the use of trains.
Though, I have to agree with Walter on this. Environmental change will come from organized and radical mass movements initiating societal transformations rather than individual behaviours. I was recently in Nepal (I flew) for a climate change meeting with La Via Campesina (South Asia). Peasant leaders from the Bangladesh landless people's movement argued that mass occupations (in their case, of land) were the best way to address climate change, thus preventing corporate/state uses and environmental abuses of said resources.
Best
Paul
-----Original Message-----
From: A forum for critical and radical geographers [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Nicholls, Walter
Sent: 31 August 2012 10:44
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Take the Train
This is all fine. I prefer trains over planes any day.
However, doesn't this focus on the behavior of individuals shift the responsibility of saving the planet (or achieving justice) to the virtuous acts of individuals and away from the structural forces of capitalism? The green movement's disproportionate focus on individual behavior can provide corporations an opportunity to get off the hook. For example, I know a guy who works for KLM and remarked that only 1% of customers choose the carbon offset charge. He then said to me, 'You see, the people choose not to be green when given the option."
Best
walter
-----Original Message-----
From: A forum for critical and radical geographers [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of David Murakami Wood
Sent: Thursday, August 30, 2012 3:38 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Take the Train
I recommend this site, 'The Man in Seat 61', as an essential resource for everyone trying to book long-distance train travel all over the world:
http://www.seat61.com/
It's difficult in North America, especially from Canada, whose trains are getting worse and worse and seem to be deliberately disconnected from the Amtrack network too. When I was back in the UK, I used to take the train to European conferences, especially the excellent overnight trains that go from Paris to Madrid, Milan, Berlin, Vienna etc. That way you don't arrive any later than if you take the plane plus you get a good night's sleep (I like sleeping on trains, I find it very relaxing) and overnight trains often have a bar and restaurant car and you get to meet a whole range of interesting people.
David.
David Murakami Wood
Canada Research Chair (Tier II) in Surveillance Studies, Surveillance Studies Centre, Associate Professor, Department of Sociology, Cross-appointed in Department of Geography, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario.
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On 2012-08-30, at 9:30 AM, Susan Ruddick wrote:
> Hi Everyone
>
> I was curious given the amount of air travel we do as geographers how
> many people have considered taking the train (which can be a working
> trip with laptop) to various conference destinations (I am thinking in
> particular of the upcoming AAG for geographers who live in North
> America)
>
> just curious
>
> Sue
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