Planet-based travel ... because there is no Planet B
We all know our planet is in serious danger of ecological collapse. Yes. Ecological collapse. This is what the scientists all over the world are telling us. We can’t afford to keep our collective heads in the sand. If we do, we may be destroying the future of every child who is here with us today.
The Covid-19 pandemic has brought about sweeping changes, many of which are beneficial to the planet. As this devastating pandemic spreads and kills thousands and thousands of people, it is triggering the biggest fall in anthropogenic carbon emissions (emissions created by human activity) since World War 2.
the effects of covid-19 on air quality
In some places, car travel is down 50%, and air travel is down over 90% due to the covid-19 pandemic. And it shows on satellite footage and in air pollution statistics.
In many places people can actually physically see the difference in the air. The air is better for people to breathe. Some people can see the sky for the first time over their cities.
“Ultimately, whether this pandemic is good or bad for the environment depends not on the virus, but on humanity. If there is no political pressure on governments, the world will go back to unsustainable business as usual rather than emerge with a healthier sense of what is normal.”
Jonathon Watts, Coronavirus:100 Days that Changed the World
References:
Social Distancing? You Might Be Fighting Climate Change, Too
Coronavirus: impact on the aviation industry worldwide – Statistics & Facts
Carbon emissions are falling sharply due to coronavirus. But not for long.
Is it essential to take an overseas vacation every year, or drive a large vehicle, or drive everywhere we go? Or is the planet’s future essential?
What we do as individuals may not have enough impact to change the world, but if we look at the numbers we calculated for the Challenge for just our little corner of the world, Waterloo Region, or the decreases we could see in emissions after just a couple of months of lockdown, it’s clear what massive changes we can make. Together.
References:
Earth Day: Our planet is detoxing as humans stay in lockdown
Reconsidering what "essential travel" means to us
Think one little flight can't make much of a difference?
“The total carbon impact of a single flight is so high that avoiding just one trip can be equivalent to going (gasoline) car-free for a year.” – David Suzuki
In 2019, more than 4 & 1⁄2 billion passengers took commercial airline flights. And that 4 & 1⁄2 billion doesn’t include chartered or private flights.
Airline travel has increased nearly every year for the last 15 years.
The number of plane tickets sold has about doubled in 10 years
At pre-covid rates of travel, there were 500,000 human beings in the air at any one time. The combined estimated populations of the cities of Kitchener, Cambridge and Waterloo? About 546,000 people.
References:
Global air traffic – scheduled passengers 2004-2021
Air travel and climate change: What’s the problem with flying?
Air Traffic by the Numbers (U.S.)
In flight: see the planes in the sky right now (an interactive piece)
Think our cars don’t make much difference? Canadian cars are a major source of greenhouse gases. Canadian cars are, on average, the least energy efficient on the planet.
At this stage in the climate crisis, we need to look at every part of the solution. And, unfortunately, North American cars are still highly polluting. And Canadian cars are actually a little worse than American cars, according to an International Energy Agency study.
In Canada, our cars, vans, SUVs and pickups account for nearly 50% of all of the greenhouse gas emissions in the transportation category. They’re a major source of global warming.
References:
Canadian cars are the world’s dirtiest
How much do cars really pollute?
Car Emissions and Global Warming: Union of Concerned Scientists
Canadian cars are the world's dirtiest
How to Challenge yourself on travel
- Go car-free on July 4th and 5th.
- Pledge to ride your bike, walk, or take public transit for trips in the city at least 3 times a week
- Use tele-conferencing for meetings … and keep that up even as things open up again after COVID-19.
- Imagine a year without flying anywhere & challenge your friends to go fly-free
- Plan vacations closer to home
- Get involved in climate action and climate justice for all
- Talk to your government representatives, pay attention to what your government is doing, and hold them accountable