tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post2180978981723878006..comments2024-03-28T15:55:53.792+10:00Comments on down to earth: Do you still fly?Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger75125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-49027381842764552652011-04-14T12:32:11.570+10:002011-04-14T12:32:11.570+10:00I feel the same and don't see how I can justif...I feel the same and don't see how I can justify flying in this age of environmental challenges. I will be going to Melbourne in July for my daughter's 30th birthday and I will be going by train. Apart from the above mentioned reason I love the time on the train. I can sit and knit read a book which I find difficult to do at home on the farm when there is just so much to be done. Love your blog. Katepurplepearhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17599216333749480560noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-16381203614271146952011-04-12T03:05:37.471+10:002011-04-12T03:05:37.471+10:00Hi,
I appreciate your reasons for not flying but...Hi,<br /><br />I appreciate your reasons for not flying but I am unwilling to stop flying although I have curtailed flying this year due to illness. I too distrust the "carbon tax schemes" with their for-profit lack of transparency. I impose my own carbon tax by making a donation every time I fly to an environmental group that is planting trees or disseminating solar cookers or building wells. These are practical things that don't seem worthless to me at all. It might take some investigation to find a group that you trust, but I think its worth it.<br /><br />Marian, USAAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-65355223086721191312011-04-11T02:23:01.668+10:002011-04-11T02:23:01.668+10:00I don'y fly either any more. Even though my fa...I don'y fly either any more. Even though my family are far away. I try to go by car or coach. My husband refuses to go on a plane, hasn't been for 5 years (last time was on a business trip). All for environmental reasons. Glad to hear there is more of us :-DDDMamma-Khttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13669114478172622826noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-53706124473428563142011-04-10T14:23:30.204+10:002011-04-10T14:23:30.204+10:00I fly often. I live in Newfoundland at present, wi...I fly often. I live in Newfoundland at present, with my family and friends halfway across the country. We used to drive twice a year, but now that we have access to flights at cost (fiancé is a pilot) we have only flown for the last year and thanks to it being faster and cheaper, we've been able to go more often. I haven't had problems with CATSA, they're generally friendly, careful when searching bags. I haven't bought offsets because, like many others, I doubt their effect. I enjoy flying, especially in smaller planes, and will likely have to do more in the future if we move further North up to Labrador. I do think about the environmental impact, but figure it's less than driving would be, and there are no trains in Newfoundland. Ideally, we would move back to Ontario to cut the amount of trips, and get a piece of farmland too! But for now we need to live where the work is...Leahnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-89200445374273380272011-04-09T23:43:12.534+10:002011-04-09T23:43:12.534+10:00I do fly for long distance travel...train service ...I do fly for long distance travel...train service from my city is sparse. Usually only once or twice a year, but I weigh the environmental impact against the good it does me to be with close friends and my sisters. Vacations refresh me and give me new inspiration. <br /><br />Have a wonderful holiday with your sister.Jingerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07357961722537445285noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-41592512024231677262011-04-08T22:32:35.302+10:002011-04-08T22:32:35.302+10:00hi
Rhonda,
visiting this post again , your veranda...hi<br />Rhonda,<br />visiting this post again , your veranda looks so bright and cheerful isn't this the place you have your morning tea with Hanno...<br />Thanks for being an inspirationMahekhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05838929350804595150noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-27480233219385423462011-04-08T08:27:45.903+10:002011-04-08T08:27:45.903+10:00Simone, I don't want to force anyone into anyt...Simone, I don't want to force anyone into anything. I'm just stating my opinion and thinking aloud about what I do. I agree with you about the uselessness of carbon taxes and I need to read a whole lot more on the subject.rhonda jeanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08962112306968959985noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-35857596355207192812011-04-08T08:07:25.154+10:002011-04-08T08:07:25.154+10:00Al Gore, the high priest of the Global Warming fai...Al Gore, the high priest of the Global Warming faith, and his army of celebrity and political acolytes, being the intrepid globe-trotters that they are, have already more than cancelled out any efforts on your part, Rhonda. Sad. But true.<br /><br />I do admire your consistency. Unlike so many leaders and adherents of the Green Faith, you actually practise what you preach, and I truly respect that. If it's your decision to travel mostly by train and pay a tax when forced to fly, good for you. I meant it. I would also like the ability to exercise my free-will in these matters and that includes being able to visit my friends and family on the other side of the world without having to pay prohibitive taxes! Based on a lot of careful reading from both sides of the issue, I have come to reject many of the tenets of your Green Faith. Unless you can show me proof that a carbon tax of any description will actually cool the planet (which you can't), I should no more be forced to join your faith than you should be forced to join mine.<br />SimoneAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-57276566516163236462011-04-08T06:27:15.665+10:002011-04-08T06:27:15.665+10:00I do fly to see my family in Europe.... I am incre...I do fly to see my family in Europe.... I am increasingly leaning towards going by train though, even though it will take much longer and cost at least twice the amount.<br /><br />You are right to be concerned about carbon offsetting. I personally don't even like the concept, as I think it makes people think it is *ok* to fly, and then as you say just pay 50 dollars on top. That's not really much of a sacrifice for them is it? Not that it *has* to be, but it doesn't put the problem of climate change into proportion as far as I'm concerned.<br /><br />The offset industry is largely unregulated. In the UK a couple of years ago the government became sufficiently concerned to set up an Approved Offsetting Schemes list - see here<br />http://offsetting.decc.gov.uk/cms/approved-offsets/<br />but I don't know if Australia has anything similar.Mariahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01656390046187780127noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-89558277775298583712011-04-08T06:17:43.415+10:002011-04-08T06:17:43.415+10:00i love trains! I think they are the best way to tr...i love trains! I think they are the best way to travel :)<br />However, I have to rely on planes. My family is on the other side of the world and it would be very difficult (not to mention mighty long!) to avoid taking a plane. I do have silly fantasies of going on road trip of sorts via land and sea transport.. it would be interesting and exciting for sure but it shall remain in my fantasies for now :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-89023676161495448192011-04-08T04:43:57.989+10:002011-04-08T04:43:57.989+10:00We do fly, though it's quite rare these days d...We do fly, though it's quite rare these days due to the expense for a family of seven to fly. My parents live over 1400 miles away, so usually fly to see us once per year. We will be flying to see them this year having not been there in three years. My husband is military, so cannot currently choose where to live, and without flying we would rarely see our family at all. Once he retires, we hope to live much closer and eliminate that necessity.Cathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00396716408304381802noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-81011465741432605062011-04-08T03:16:50.873+10:002011-04-08T03:16:50.873+10:00I have wondered about that as well. My cousin is ...I have wondered about that as well. My cousin is getting married in Colorado this summer and my parents are taking the train from Wisconsin, my sister from New York, and hopefully I will join them from Wisconsin. We are hoping to all be on the same train. I do not want to deal with TSA and will not be taking my children through a checkpoint. My hubby thinks I am crazy and is plotting a trip on our anniversary, I will fly then. I have not flown in 3 years, and it was 5 or more before that for the previous time. I'd love to tell you it is primarily a environmental decision, but mostly it is a monetary one, followed by a distaste for TSA.Juliahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10696666204830309673noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-37733402181943486542011-04-08T02:57:25.885+10:002011-04-08T02:57:25.885+10:00I fly, and I hate it. I paid the carbon tax / envi...I fly, and I hate it. I paid the carbon tax / environment offset a few times, but it feels slightly scammy to me so I haven't since.<br /><br />I fly because I live with my fiance (husband in less than a month!) in his country. I don't (quite) speak the language yet and the culture is very, very different from mine in ways that creep up on me and bury me in alien-ness every so often. I need a trip to familiar territory (my sister's, not in my home country but close enough) once in a while to stay sane. It sucks, but working full-time I can't usually spare much more than a long weekend and driving/train would take almost all the time! When I did go for a decent length of time - almost a month - I went by bus and loved it.Melnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-44225333742005659962011-04-08T02:29:05.650+10:002011-04-08T02:29:05.650+10:00I do so envy your get-away. Not JUST that you'...I do so envy your get-away. Not JUST that you'll be a a cozy cottage, but your relationship w/you sister. My only sister was a sweet twin who only lived 4 hours. We have 2 daughters & I have always told them to treasure their relationship b/c there is nothing like what sisters share ~ as I have observed throughout my lifetime.<br /><br />Treasure your time together! :-)<br /><br />Blessings from Ohio/USA...Kim<><Marmee's Pantryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01612989781352785304noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-79066184737010297282011-04-08T02:08:16.487+10:002011-04-08T02:08:16.487+10:00Like your first commenter, Annette, I also do not ...Like your first commenter, Annette, I also do not fly anymore because of both environmental impact and TSA policies in the U.S. I don't like the body scanners or patdowns for health and psychological reasons, and particularly would not expose my kids to either. This causes some difficulty for us as my husband's family lives on the east coast and we are in Minnesota, so we must drive or take the train. We've never taken the train because, sadly, it is so expensive, but we would like to someday. <br /><br />Also, my father-in-law is a pilot and is no longer willing to get in a commercial airplane because of concerns over their safety. This gives me another reason not to fly.<br /><br />But, to each his own. We are glad when family flies to visit us, and would not try to stop them.<br /><br />If we ever get to take our dream trip to England, however, we will likely have to fly. Maybe someday.Lisa Zhttp://www.zahnzone.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-67668812385868428792011-04-08T01:58:52.669+10:002011-04-08T01:58:52.669+10:00Congratulations Grandma. Welcome to the magical wo...Congratulations Grandma. Welcome to the magical world of grandchildren. Your forthcoming holiday sounds delightful. Such a pretty area. If Trish needs any help or advice on her trip to Ireland please do contact me, as being in the business, I know the country extremely well. <br />I try to to my best for the environment, but in the scheme of things I have no problem taking 2 flights a year. My husband is not allow to fly, so I suppose we have made a cut of 50%. I take my role of mother, grandmother, cousin and friend very seriously, and feel my input is very important to the well being and happiness of my family. I feel travel makes us more aware of the environment, seeing the difficulties other countries encounter, and gives me an awareness and appreciation of my own environment, and how important is is for all of us to contribute in any small way we can.<br />Travel also is important in order to keep heritage, culture and customs alive through the generations,for those living abroad. So it is with joy I will fly to Paris in 3 weeks to visit the oldest living member of my husband's family, who lives alone, is a sweet old lady, and deserves a bit of pampering and fun.TIGGYWINKLEhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10797704211597578471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-12143855691685041342011-04-08T00:35:55.981+10:002011-04-08T00:35:55.981+10:00I have flown three times in my life. Once when I t...I have flown three times in my life. Once when I turned eighteen, my girlfriend and I flew to Los Angeles to go to Disneyland. The flight as just under an hour. The second and third times were for business, and I have decided that I don't care for flying. I took my three daughter to Nebraska when they were all small to see an old friend who also has three daughters. We took the train and had the time of our lives. I even bought them all train engineer overalls and hats. I prefer travel by car. Holidays are spent at home. I love it here!<br />Have a great time with your sister and nephews! It's sounds so wonderful!claudiahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16572555442321120647noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-30207569962653188852011-04-07T23:58:23.941+10:002011-04-07T23:58:23.941+10:00Hi New to your blog. Love it though. What a timel...Hi New to your blog. Love it though. What a timely post for me and my husband. He worked as a traveling consultant for a long time and has tons of airmiles as a result. We could all three of us have paid for round trip tickets twice over to Europe. But I feel guilty about it. It's also not so fun when you have a 4 year old to travel. We feel the airlines will void all the miles in the next oil price bump. So what should we do?Gregory Dicksonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14457239315894531206noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-44230699885220070642011-04-07T23:44:16.659+10:002011-04-07T23:44:16.659+10:00Sounds like a wonderful vacation to me, have fun, ...Sounds like a wonderful vacation to me, have fun, and be careful, be blessed, and be a blessing.Barbarahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09800203244324984782noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-89546663700240815452011-04-07T22:53:41.277+10:002011-04-07T22:53:41.277+10:00What a wonderful opportunity to spend time with yo...What a wonderful opportunity to spend time with your sister. Sound like so much fun. Go without guilt.<br />VictoriaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-29761210623603203202011-04-07T21:22:06.870+10:002011-04-07T21:22:06.870+10:00Flying is something I do agonise over but there is...Flying is something I do agonise over but there is no other way I can see my family. I don't fly for any other reason but my annual trip to Australia. We do so much to cut our carbon footprint in the home to make up for this flight. I'm not sure about the carbon off setting, I don't know how it works or if it works at all. <br /><br />Have a good time with your sister, you are lucky to be so close. Wrap up warm and enjoy.Grandmaibbhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00751976102325479714noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-86283264158446460892011-04-07T21:17:09.473+10:002011-04-07T21:17:09.473+10:00Re the tree-planting thing - I used to think it wa...Re the tree-planting thing - I used to think it was a lot of hooey too but....<br />My husband worked for IBM on-site at Toyota. He was called out to the "Greenhouse" and he thought "what the?". That's where he met the guy that was in charge of their tree-planting programme through-out Australia. There he sat amongst his latest batch of hundreds of baby trees ready to be planted.freefallinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08863000229609701796noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-7660313704184234862011-04-07T21:01:39.117+10:002011-04-07T21:01:39.117+10:00I don't fly, two reasons 1 I am about to have ...I don't fly, two reasons 1 I am about to have my fifth child and it's not in the budget and 2 I would rather see Australia first.<br /><br />What does interest me is the topic of how carbon taxes will be spent. With the likely introduction of a carbon tax here in Australia, I want to know how our taxes will be spent. <br /><br />I think when we live simply on a day to day basis we probably would still be under our quota with a "once in a lifetime trip".<br /><br />Enjoy your holiday, and if you do need to go OS for business enjoy that too. Spreading the simple living message is probably more of an offset than any extra tax. :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-30895045174406091632011-04-07T21:00:26.339+10:002011-04-07T21:00:26.339+10:00It isn't something I get to worried about. Le...It isn't something I get to worried about. Let me explain, my husband works as an air traffic control assistant. He knows a lot about planes and is also very keen on learning how to be environmentally aware as am I. You are right to say there is little published about the impact of flying. There is a generally held view amongst aviation experts that the reason for this is that the emissions are so small in comparrison to other sources of pollution that they are not sufficient to form an argument. There is proof (though we can't remember where to find it) that flying causes about 3 to 4% of global carbon emmissions annually, that is about the same as shipping (shipping is unregulated and uses old technology, so that is probably much higher!). Aviation is the leader in being efficient and green and their engines are now 70 per cent more efficient than they were 40 years ago. Which is comparable to the car industry. <br /><br />However as with all things, moderation counts for a lot. I would much prefer to holiday at and around home when we can (though unfortunately expense pays a large part to play in this for us - it is more expensive to holiday in the uk).<br /><br />This year we might do a city break that will involve flying to somewhere in Europe, otherwise it will be around the UK, in fact we are going to Minehead a good old british seaside on Saturday for a few days. <br /><br />Do enjoy your break x x x x xJane D.https://www.blogger.com/profile/02571647840432446028noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-79817584875737363192011-04-07T19:31:35.935+10:002011-04-07T19:31:35.935+10:00Your vacation sounds wonderful (my idea of a great...Your vacation sounds wonderful (my idea of a great time). My SIL does not fly either for environmental reasons. We are flying this year because it is a little difficult to fly from Ontario to the Yukon with 5 children, but with a family of 7, it is not something we can afford for the most part. This is a last family trip before our oldest son leaves home in a little over a year.Silviahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09461867342038492623noreply@blogger.com