Can Being Eco-Conscious Mean Never Flying Again?

Balancing eco-consciousness with personal lifestyle choices can create intense feelings of guilt and frustration.

Dear Earth-Conscious Traveler,

Your question evokes the determined stance of Greta Thunberg. When the young Swedish activist needed to attend a climate summit in the United States, she famously opted against flying due to the carbon footprint associated with it. Instead, she took a two-week voyage across turbulent seas by boat.

Does this mean we should all emulate Thunberg's choices?

Thunberg’s commitment is inspiring, yet it's not solely their personal actions that are impactful. Rather, they spark broader public introspection and expand acceptable behaviors around climate accountability. Her journey, while emblematic, is not a universal template for everyone to adopt.

Not everyone has the circumstances, health, or time to undertake such journeys. Moreover, abstaining from flying entirely might not be viable or necessary for everyone.

Our lives are governed by varied values. Environmental stewardship is critical, yes, but so are maintaining essential relationships, advancing careers, exploring cultures, and creative pursuits. While reducing flights has its merits, it’s not the sole consideration in one’s life decisions.

The philosopher Susan Wolf offers relevant insights in her essay ‘Moral Saints.’ She suggests that striving to maximize moral goodness in every action can lead to a narrow existence, devoid of enriching personal endeavors. Overemphasis on moral duty may impair our connections and personal growth.

Virtues extend beyond moral obligations; artistic, musical, and athletic talents hold value and merit fostering.

As Wolf eloquently puts it, a life solely dedicated to altruistic duties limits engagement in enriching experiences like reading, music, or sports, leading to an unfulfilling existence.

Ultimately, it's beneficial, even advisable, to embrace diverse priorities without forsaking them under moral rigidity. Navigating these contradictory priorities can be the challenging part.

The Complexity of Moral Trade-Offs

A purist approach can simplify life; however, it demands stringent self-denial without the daily complexities of balancing pleasures like flying. Yet, embarking on multiple value-driven paths doesn’t yield a single objective solution. Philosophers like Bernard Williams argue that ethics isn’t reducible to scientific precision or rigid principles.

With ethics being intricate and subjective, evaluating and prioritizing values becomes essential. It’s clear some values need more weight than others. My love for snorkeling, for instance, doesn’t justify limitless flights, especially amid a climate emergency.

Despite this, I permit myself necessary flights for indispensable life experiences, like visiting distant loved ones, while maximizing those journeys by extending stays.

Resentment and Guilt: A Deeper Issue

You echo this: traveling less and elongating stays is a sensible strategy, considering your area’s travel limitations. But your real struggle lies beyond flying – it’s the resentment toward peers who trivialize air travel, igniting personal guilt.

This resentment is understandable but unsustainable if it leads to personal misery.

Some altruists can abandon flying and reap philosophical contentment without resentment. However, most of us aren’t conditioned for such singular lifestyles. Choosing a moderate path often serves better, relieving self-criticism and spreading focus across multiple significant life aspects.

Consider accepting a rational flight limit, like an annual trip, to alleviate guilt. Recognize the broader impacts of personal actions to balance perceptions of isolation and ineffectuality in activism. Although minority, connected communities also strive for lesser air travel. Joining groups like Stay Grounded can foster camaraderie and unity in shared ecological values.

Transforming Resentment

Resentment temporarily energizes yet becomes damaging. Substituting this with gratitude—a proven counterpart—can nurture positivity. Reconnecting with nature and enjoying personal activities can reinforce your commitment to preserving these sources of joy, ultimately fostering appreciation for your self-aligned lifestyle.