The ability to travel freely should be seen as a privilege. Coming from a country where my parents couldn’t simply pass borders and enter western Europe, the value of travelling is much appreciated. Each flight I take, I have to wonder how the world has changed in the past 40 years. Not only the means of travelling extended through commercial air travel, but also through the extensive network of travel connections through all around the world. It sounds very promising and progressive.
Through mobility advancements comes the environmental toll. Flying around Europe has never been easier, but the air quality is impacted, air space is full, emissions get higher. What might seem like an improvement creates different problems, making one step ahead and two steps back.
I fly frequently as I study in a foreign country. My carbon footprint is higher due to my flight rate, however, I balance it through my vegetarian diet, train rides instead of a bus, not owning a car, biking everywhere, living sustainably as much as possible. Balancing responsibilities towards our environment is what I consider crucial.
What we hear everywhere is to choose trains over planes when travelling around Europe. The idea is valid, especially for flights under/around an hour. However, staying aware and concious about time, price, and convenience of travels is equaly necessary as keeping our footprint low. Taking a 10+ hour train ride might not be an option for many due to time limitations or lack of direct connections. In the times of environmental awareness, the guilt of taking a plane instead of train is real.
Looking at the issue through my lense, cutting flights does not reach sustainabilty goals on its own. What I consider as powerful are small, overlooked habits in the way we move around. Biking to work daily, taking a bus instead of a car, favoring train rides for further distances, flying conciously. These actions have real impact on the environment and air quality in given locations. Every step counts.
Even though my travells to the international placement will require air travel, my responsibility is to balance out the weight of this decision through my lifestyle choices. Taking a train to the airport, avoid using cars, promote biking for short distances or grocery runs. Critically evaluating the impact of our decisions is already a good indicator for change. What I do in my close cricle is to raise awareness on the issues of collective responsibility over individuals’ decisions.
