Is flying an irreplaceable part of 21st-century life? Can businesses succeed in a globalised world without international air travel? What about 'love miles' - visiting friends and family overseas?
Architect and writer Chris Watson grew up in an airline family, passionate about aviation and how it allows us to explore the world, share knowledge and create more diverse communities. But this freedom has come at a cost for the environment. Aviation is a significant factor in climate change - and one that's been steadily growing in both developed and undeveloped countries, burning fossil fuels and emitting harmful greenhouse gases. Flying is never zero-carbon, so can we reduce it, or even do without it?
Fourteen remarkable travellers from around the world share their stories with Chris about how they came to the conclusion that reducing their air travel was necessary to lower their personal emissions. From backgrounds as diverse as commercial, professional, academic, NGOs, literature and science, they have found easy and better ways of living and working, saving what few flights they do take for emergencies and 'love miles'. Their stories look at how our modern, globalised world offers more alternatives to keep in touch with people around the world without contributing to the aviation industry's ever-increasing emissions.
Filled with success stories and practical guidance to help people make more informed decisions, this book is a must-read for any frequent flyer - or for anyone involved in a global business. Beyond Flying demonstrates that even the toughest of environmental challenges can be addressed.
Autorentext
Chris Watson is an architect specialising in user-friendliness of buildings. He usually assists large organisations with large property portfolios or special buildings to ensure that their functionality supports organisations' objectives.
Chris co-edited Enhancing Building Performance (2012) and has published various conference papers and journal articles on the evaluation of buildings/architecture. He grew up in an airline family, giving him an interest in aviation which, combined with his passion for eco-friendly design, has inspired him to also write about personal emissions management.
Zusammenfassung
Is flying an irreplaceable part of 21st-century life? Flying is never zero-carbon, so can we reduce it, or even do without it? Can businesses succeed in a globalized world without international air travel? What about 'love miles' - visiting friends and family overseas? Fourteen authors from around the world - lawyers, journalists, scientists, architects - share their travel stories about life and work 'beyond flying', offering us an inspiring catalogue of reasons to fly less, some great ways of switching to sustainable choices, and the delights of richer travel experiences.
Inhalt
Friends of the Earth: rethinking travel
Foreword by Peter McManners
Preface
Introduction
Part 1: Thinking beyond flying
1. To fly or not to fly? Chris Brazier
2. Deciding never to fly again Rob Hopkins
3. Young people and climate change Saci Lloyd
4. Waking up to the downsides of flying John Stewart
5. Slow and low - the way to go: a systems view of travel emissions Kevin Anderson
Part 2: Business beyond flying
6. A green travel experiment Chris Watson
7. Trains versus planes: building a low-carbon travel agency Kate Andrews
8. Going cold turkey: a law practice without any flights Tom Bennion
9. The no-flying conference: signs of change Susan Krumdieck
10. Slowlier than thou: why flight-free travel is about better, not less Ed Gillespie
Part 3: Savouring the journey
11. The human engine: bicycling to Beijing Chris Smith
12. Walking distance: Europe on foot Adam Weymouth
13. bike2oz: the world going through you instead of around you Lowanna Doye
14. A small matter of distance: trying not to fly to climate talks Nic Seton
15. Travel on a hot planet: exploring the global tourist industry overland Anirvan Chatterjee and Barnali Ghosh
How to fly less
Index