Float Plan - Another Way to Avoid the Plane
by Treehugger Interns on 01.10.07
Every time we have a post on Treehugger about air travel, we end up creating a huge debate (witness here and here for just two examples). While the exact numbers are up for debate, there is certainly an increased focus by many on the climate impacts of aircraft, both in terms of their direct greenhouse gas emissions, as well as the additional effects of contrails and the increased impact that NOx emissions have in the upper atmosphere (a summary of aviation impacts can be found here). Even the world-famous Rough Guides travel books are now asking people to consider alternatives to flying where practical, and anecdotal evidence suggests that many people with environmental leanings, at least in this Treehugger’s circle of friends, are beginning to consider different routes for their holidays. But what are the alternatives?
We have previously shown the extreme measures taken by some, such as the overland trip from the UK to Australia taken by one environmentalist to attend her friends wedding. Others may be less adventurous, but there are still much greener alternatives for many short-haul flights, especially in Europe.
Seat 61 is a good place to start for details of rail travel all over the world. And now we have one more suggestion to add to the list, though it is probably only practical for those of you with plenty of time on your hands – Float Plan. This website offers a facility for travelers to find positions as crew members of yachts and sail boats. Of course, those wishing to travel green, as opposed to just slow, would need to be careful about which positions they accept – I can’t imagine being a cabin boy on a luxury motor cruiser is any greener than hopping on your nearest jet, but there are also a lot of traditional sail boats. And what could be greener than making your way across the ocean by hitching a ride powered by the wind? [Written by: Sami Grover]
Thirsty for more? Check out these related articles:
- Run Cars on Green Electricity, Not Natural Gas
- Thanksgiving Travel Expected to the Lowest for Six Years
- Air New Zealand Prepares for Biofuel Test Flight
- Will the Next New Deal be Transit-Based? Three Plans to Rescue the Economy and the Earth with Public Transportation
Regartding holidays, why go away at all? Bcause it's the done thing? These days you can broaden your horizon with books and the internet, and in a multi-cultural society, you can learn about other cultures right on your doorstep. And as anyone who travels knows, travel holidays are anything but relaxation. The money saved could buy you some unpaid holidays from your job which would do far more to recharge your batteries.
the new Nature has this about flying and global warming:
"The problem lies with two diverging industry trends. On the one hand, flying is more popular than ever before. British passenger numbers are predicted to double to 475 million per year by 2030, for example, and in China, according to the World Bank, passenger numbers grew by a whopping 28% from 2003 to 2004.
Progress in improving the fuel efficiency of aircraft is, by contrast, gradual. Current trends suggest that gains of 1–2% per year will be the norm for the foreseeable future. Only a step change in aeroengine design might increase this, but with current approaches being so safe and reliable, and change so expensive, that seems improbable.
As a result, the growth in aviation emissions, if left unchecked, is liable to wreck attempts to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions. In Britain, for example, airlines' emissions are growing by around 7% each year, even as the government prepares to set in law a commitment to cut national emissions to 60% below 1990 levels by 2050. According to the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research, the rest of the economy would have to move to zero emissions in order to sustain aviation growth and meet the target."
I'm sure we will get the usual "it's only 2% of emissions" answers on here, but to me Laura'a point captures the problem - to have a increasing emissions trend when all the evidence says we need to reduce them is bad timing, and means the rest of the economy would have to work harder to compensate. Not very appealing when a lot of those flights are holidays and therefore luxuries.
Don't forget freighter cruises, search for it and you will find a few sites where you can book a trip.
I beat myself up over carbon emissions more than ever now. I recycle, ride a bike, don't smoke, drink, drive or buy non-energy saving bulbs. I refused to fly on planes. I am a vegan. I buy organic and fairtrade food. I support the Green Party.
But..
I have committed a cardinal sin.
It all started when I went into a bar last year.
I am ashamed to say that i have just got engaged to.....
....an airline pilot.
I tried to resist the temptation. But what can you do when someone asks you out? It's very difficult to resist a man in uniform..and I guiltily confess that I've always had a secret (ok now it's not so-secret) fetish of airline pilots. they do bad things! they fly filthy planes! I guess that was the attraction! Oh well, i have persuaded him to be a little bit greener..*sigh*
I had my first flight 2 weeks ago on a 737. *Begs for your forgiveness*
guiltygreenwoman, you should have gone for a glider pilot! I fly gliders and there some nice blokes at the flying club...oh hang on, they don't wear the nice smart uniform...
I wouldn't beat yourself up, you're committed to a green lifestyle in many ways and that's great. I don't think we need to demonise airline pilots, - it's the planemakers, such as Airbus, who should be pressured into developing alternative fuels, instead of superjumbos like the A380.
Men in uniform - they look even better if they're wearing uniforms made from natural fibres. Train drivers and ferry captains do it for me.
who knows - maybe your pilot will get to command an eco-friendly plane in future. And just think how much MORE attractive he'll be to you then!
I just wish I could find a fast, comfortable and reliable train to take me from Vancouver Island in British Columbia to San Diego in California! I have to make several trips a year there to take care of my ailing, elderly mom. The last time was January 5, 2007. It was just my luck that a huge storm hit Denver Colorado (my cheap ticket routed me through Calgary and Denver). It was lucky for me that they could send me to San Francisco where my son lives, otherwise I'd have been like those poor folks who had to camp out for days at the Denver airport over Christmas.
Japan has great trains. Why can't the U.S. and Canada?