I was asked recently to write about my decision to stop flying. Before I do that, I have to tell you that I do take occasional flights in my mind and when I found out last week that I was to be a grandma again, I was sky high for hours.
I don't remember exactly when my last flight was. I'm guessing it was in the late 1990s, before I started living as I do now. Back then, I owned a business writing training and induction manuals for the mining industry. I had to travel to the mines fairly frequently but with every flight I hated it more and I realised that driving would be much more enjoyable. I wouldn't be part of the herd being shuffled this way and that, I could pack what I wanted, listen to my own music and stop when I felt like it. Driving replaced flying for me then. It must have been around 1998. Now for long distance travel, I either go by train or drive - we have a hybrid car.
I refuse to fly because I'm concerned with the environmental impact every flight has.
I'm lucky to be Australian because I believe there is no better place to be. If I want to go on holiday, I will do that within my own country and there will be no flying involved. Long distance visiting can be done via Skype and if I'm called to participate in a conference, I can do so via teleconferencing. A few years ago I was tested on how committed I am to these beliefs when I was invited to attend an awards ceremony in Singapore, with flights and accommodation supplied. I declined. It wasn't difficult, I didn't hesitate, I knew there was nothing that would get me on a plane. When I did my book tour, I drove from state to state with Hanno, instead of flying. We had the best time on that road trip and I know that had we flown, I would never have associated the word "best" with anything I did on that trip.
I'm lucky to be Australian because I believe there is no better place to be. If I want to go on holiday, I will do that within my own country and there will be no flying involved. Long distance visiting can be done via Skype and if I'm called to participate in a conference, I can do so via teleconferencing. A few years ago I was tested on how committed I am to these beliefs when I was invited to attend an awards ceremony in Singapore, with flights and accommodation supplied. I declined. It wasn't difficult, I didn't hesitate, I knew there was nothing that would get me on a plane. When I did my book tour, I drove from state to state with Hanno, instead of flying. We had the best time on that road trip and I know that had we flown, I would never have associated the word "best" with anything I did on that trip.
Since 2001 the security at airports has been ramped up and it's not unusual now to see long queues of travellers at airports waiting to be processed. When I see that, when I see and hear how little respect is shown to passengers, when I think of the potential dangers lurking, I wonder why so many people still fly. The longer I don't fly, the more reasons I think of to never put myself in that situation again. But I won't go on about it because I think everyone has to discover their own reasons and be firmly convinced by them for it to have a permanent impact.
I think that long-lasting profound lifestyle change comes about when we change ourselves first and then try for group solutions, starting with our own communities. I am the only one who can put my beliefs into action, I can't make anyone believe what I do and I certainly don't want to blindly follow what others do. So for me, this is a personal stand and nothing that I expect you or anyone in my family to be a part of. And my decision to remain earth bound is not translated into judgement of people who don't. We all make our own choices and I am happy for that.
Why David Holmgren doesn't fly much anymore
I think that long-lasting profound lifestyle change comes about when we change ourselves first and then try for group solutions, starting with our own communities. I am the only one who can put my beliefs into action, I can't make anyone believe what I do and I certainly don't want to blindly follow what others do. So for me, this is a personal stand and nothing that I expect you or anyone in my family to be a part of. And my decision to remain earth bound is not translated into judgement of people who don't. We all make our own choices and I am happy for that.
Why David Holmgren doesn't fly much anymore
