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bluecatgeek, level 1
5,300 posts
Location: everywhere


Posted:
so, i was just reading the rabbit hole thread, and was feeling very pleased that all my friends were in more or less the same place, having a great time, when suddenly i became despondent, and realised that they had not only flown there, but were flying all over the place to see a different lovely beach, etcetc.

now, my apologies to those involved in that particular thread, I'm only using it as an example because of its currency, not picking on you. i could point the finger at myself for flyng to, and within australia last year. or to hundreds of other examples.

how can we expect people to to be environmentally responsible if we are not? there is only so long that you can say 'well, i don't do it much, so it's ok'.

I feel like a killjoy, telling people what not to do, but can't reconcile my belief that if we don't change our ways we won't have a beautiful earth to continue visiting ubbcrying

for those who agree with me, feel free to join me in pledging to make no flights, or reduced flights at https://www.flightpledge.org.uk/

i will be recommending alternative means of transport to anyone who is coming to uber, too biggrin

i would end my rant here, but i'm interested in HOP flying figures.... so please pander to my whim, and fill in this poll:

Holistic Spinner (I hope)


bluecatgeek, level 1
5,300 posts
Location: everywhere


Posted:
https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/6305587.stm

getting there....

Holistic Spinner (I hope)


SymBRONZE Member
Geek-enviro-hippy priest
1,858 posts
Location: Diss, Norfolk, United Kingdom


Posted:
Sorry, but I see that as an unpopular prime minister trying to look good on his way out.



 Written by:



Mr Blair praised Chancellor Angela Merkel's focus on climate change during her EU presidency and India and China's engagement with the G8.







But didn't say "She couldn't have done worst than the last guy to hold the presidency".



 Written by:



He also pledged to work with other world leaders towards a more "radical" and "comprehensive" successor to the Kyoto protocol.







When? Is he going to get a 60% reduction world wide in the next 3 months before he steps down?



Also



 Written by:



He told the World Economic Forum: "If Britain shut down our emissions entirely, ie we closed down the country - not the legacy I want - the growth in China's emissions would make up the difference in just two years.







But China have about 1200000000 more people than us, so there isn't a problem with them emitting more. Our emissions per capita are *much* higher than Chinas.
EDITED_BY: Sym (1169919923)

There's too many home fires burning and not enough trees


tim_marstonaddict
614 posts

Posted:
abolutley lolsign lolsign lolsign

Mascotenthusiast
301 posts

Posted:
Environmentalism is not a religion

the reason that this has been suggested is that environmentalism appeals to a belief in something greater than yourself and some measure of self-sacrifice for that belief, classic hallmarks of religion.

The difference is that it doesn't require faith in something for which no concrete evidence is offered. In 1881 the cities of Chicago and Cincinnati enacted clean air legislation banning the burning of coal to reduce smog. This was an early piece of environmentalism and all it required was to make the link between burning coal and smog.

There will be no talk of environmentalism as a religion when the effects of Global warming begin to really bite.

Walls may have ears but they don't have eyes


FireTomStargazer
6,650 posts

Posted:
 Written by: georgemc


Not even if using eco-friendly washing soap? wink

Wrong guess (well, mostly wrong!cool) - your turn to try again!




And all this company-advice for free? umm Dude, I'd call this inflationary... ubblol wink

The effects of global warmin IS biting already, but most like to blame it on... errm, is there really any other excuse, still? *looks around and can't find any*

As to the Kyoto protocol: IMHO some of it 's cowspoo. The numbers of scooters available in the 3rd world; the ammount of trash burnt along the streets; the number of fields that get burnt for fertilizing; the ammount of busses, cars and motorbikes, that do not receive a emmission-check - those are the smoking guns that take a part in ridiculing this protocol...

btw - the efforts taken by the previous German govt made Germany the biggest exporter on the planet - in terms of jobs eek confused Haven't got the actual numbers, but not so much back, Germany was leading the ranks in producing energy, using alternative means, like photovoltaic and wind.

And all this, because the big parties learned that there are voters who would go green, because they are concerned about the environment... we CAN change something.. at least.

the best smiles are the ones you lead to wink


StoutBRONZE Member
Pooh-Bah
1,872 posts
Location: Canada


Posted:
In my case for environmentalism as a religion, I was going to cite the belief that the natural world is somehow "better" that the man made world as the spiritual basis. I was going to cite the preference for old growth forests over second generation forests and try to tie in this whole "older trees have wisdom" hippy mindset that continually crops up.

So I could cover the something greater than yourself angle, but I'd expect it to be shot down in favour of a something that we're a part of argument, and I'd probably end up agreeing or countering with a "what we're doing IS natural" ( for us as a species ) argument. that too might just fly ( haha..pun )

Where I couldn't come up with an argument is the whole sacrificing for your ideology, living the moral code, if you will. mainly because it doesn't exist yet. Sure there's actions one can take to reduce one's impact on the environment, but if the daily reports i read re global warming are to be taken seriously, then there's the evidence that " talking about this for the last 30 years" ( from an Inconvenient Truth ) hasn't been enough, and further sacrifice is needed.

And the people who acknowledge that that sacrifice has to be made, are few and far between IMO

Mascotenthusiast
301 posts

Posted:
the people who acknowledge that the sacrifice has to be made are numerous indeed compared to the people actualy making any significant sacrifice.

Walls may have ears but they don't have eyes


PyrolificBRONZE Member
Returning to a unique state of Equilibrium
3,289 posts
Location: Adelaide, South Australia


Posted:
err when you consider a whole ecosystem, second growth forests are a poor shadow of their former self. And once a species is extinct, planting more trees at the same site wont bring it back. Old growth has far higher biodiversity yadadada...

--
Help! My personality got stuck in this signature machine and I cant get it out!


StoutBRONZE Member
Pooh-Bah
1,872 posts
Location: Canada


Posted:
Mascot, Yes beerchug

Josh, I totally agree on the biodiversity issue, but it quite often plays second fiddle in both the press and activist writings to the *we like trees* attitude. I don't want to attach any level of importance to the two when it comes to discussing the preservation of old growth and it's relationship to global warming ( however it is part of the greater lifestyle discussion ) , just pose the idea that the spiritual connection to the natural world may be a basis for rating environmentalism as a religion.

SymBRONZE Member
Geek-enviro-hippy priest
1,858 posts
Location: Diss, Norfolk, United Kingdom


Posted:
Should I be shocked at this, or just expect it?

 Written by: some idiot


According to the United Nations the Antarctic is cooling and global temperatures have only risen by a total of less than one degree centigrade in the last 100 hundred years, but that does not suit the agenda of the discredited socialists and communists who have moved into what they refer to as “more fruitful areas of activity” to pedal their anti capitalist agenda; environmentalism.

However, I will concede that there has indeed been a catastrophic increase in hot air.





Be even more amazed

ubbloco frown

There's too many home fires burning and not enough trees


FireTomStargazer
6,650 posts

Posted:
See yesterday I read an article about Sydney being unsustainable by the year 2070 - as an Australian study conducted. Sea levels will raise by 20cm's and after that the entire coastline will be battered with high(er) waves.

Australia (already) is the driest, inhabited continent.

By now we are lucky to the extent that all these greenhouse gasses (that were put into the air a few decades ago already and will) slowly rise into the atmosphere.

The greenhouse scenario is almost inevitable, unless some genius finds a cure (soon)... shrug

Will it then be the same as in the end of the Maya culture? That mankind sacrifices those (capitalistic) preachermen and just move on (whereto anyways?)...

the best smiles are the ones you lead to wink


StoutBRONZE Member
Pooh-Bah
1,872 posts
Location: Canada


Posted:
Whereto?????

Now that's the really really BIG question.

wolfcub3223BRONZE Member
Member
128 posts
Location: USA


Posted:
Im scared of flying becuase I DONT WANT TO DIE!!!!!!!!! frown

Ich brauche Zeit
Kein Heroin kein Alkohol kein Nikotin
Brauch keine Hilfe
Kein Koffein
Doch Dynamit und Terpentin
Ich brauche Öl für Gasolin
Explosiv wie Kerosin
Mit viel Oktan und frei von Blei
Einen Kraftstoff wie Benzin


FireTomStargazer
6,650 posts

Posted:
maybe offtopic ish

https://www.avaaz.org/en/climate_action/

the best smiles are the ones you lead to wink


NOnactivist for HoPper liberation.
1,643 posts
Location: ffidrac


Posted:
newgabe posted a link in another thread in the help section a while back... and i just found this site and had a proper look in the context of something i am actually trying to do, and decided the link absolutely has to be here too...

The Man in Seat 61 has provided all the details you could possibly ever need about how to get from... well the uk mainly... (but it's got to be useful for others too) to wherever else you could possibly want to go by train and ship. When i say details, i mean right down to what time the trains leave and prices, plus you can buy tickets and railpasses online!

woot! yay, i love travelling by train. smile

Aurinko freedom agreement reached 10th Sept 2006

if it makes no sense that's because it's NOn-sense.


PyrolificBRONZE Member
Returning to a unique state of Equilibrium
3,289 posts
Location: Adelaide, South Australia


Posted:
interestingly, from England it seems you can make it by ship and overland as far as indonesia, but not to Aust???

https://www.seat61.com/Australia.htm

Josh

--
Help! My personality got stuck in this signature machine and I cant get it out!


polaritySILVER Member
veteran
1,228 posts
Location: on the wrong planet, United Kingdom


Posted:
Wow, I'm seriously tempted to try getting to Japan by train and boat (2 weeks travelling isn't too bad when you get to see an entire continent doing it). Might have to do the Japan-Australia part of the trip by plane though.

You aren't thinking or really existing unless you're willing to risk even your own sanity in the judgment of your existence.

Green peppers, lime pickle and whole-grain mustard = best sandwich filling.


SymBRONZE Member
Geek-enviro-hippy priest
1,858 posts
Location: Diss, Norfolk, United Kingdom


Posted:
Thanks NOn smile I actually posted a link to it on the first page of this thread, but I think more people should know about it biggrin

I want to go somewhere now, so I have a reason to use it!

There's too many home fires burning and not enough trees


NOnactivist for HoPper liberation.
1,643 posts
Location: ffidrac


Posted:
so you did! biggrin i missed it, this thread is so big... Sometimes it's fun to do the planning yourself, but you couldn't ask for a better starting point than this... i wonder if someone's done all these journeys, or if it's very good research confused

Plus: there has to be a way to get from indonesia to oz without flying... perhaps it's not an official route though, but you could hitchhike with a fisherman or something wink

Aurinko freedom agreement reached 10th Sept 2006

if it makes no sense that's because it's NOn-sense.


SymBRONZE Member
Geek-enviro-hippy priest
1,858 posts
Location: Diss, Norfolk, United Kingdom


Posted:
I just had my first test of not flying...

There was a chance that I was going to be flown out to Georgia (next to Turkey) to do a weeks highly paid, high (ish) profile work and then flown back again. I didn't get the job in the end, but if I had I really wouldn't have known what to do. The flights were booked, so there was no option of going on the train.

How on earth are we going to get over problems like that? Business people being flown around the world...

frown

There's too many home fires burning and not enough trees


jo_rhymesSILVER Member
Momma Bear
4,525 posts
Location: Telford, Shrops, United Kingdom


Posted:
oh no!! you didnt get the job!! hug

back to topic: what about a really amazing hot air balloon?! ubblol

Hoppers are angels who lift us to our feet when our wings have trouble remembering how to fly.


SymBRONZE Member
Geek-enviro-hippy priest
1,858 posts
Location: Diss, Norfolk, United Kingdom


Posted:
 Written by:

One has to understand that it's not the passengers that emit, its the aircraft.



ubblol

Heard on a very stupid debate on radio 4. They have failed to point out that external air travel is not included in our carbon emissions. So saying that planes only emit 5% of our carbon is just wrong.

I feel a letter to the BBC coming on.

There's too many home fires burning and not enough trees


FireTomStargazer
6,650 posts

Posted:
 Written by: NOn


Plus: there has to be a way to get from Indonesia to oz without flying... perhaps it's not an official route though, but you could hitchhike with a fisherman or something wink



Better on the back of a dolphin, tell ya that much wink rolleyes

But you're right, private yacht charter are often looking for hands or dead freight wink :P

the best smiles are the ones you lead to wink


FireTomStargazer
6,650 posts

Posted:
 Written by: Sym





 Written by: ?





Mr Blair praised Chancellor Angela Merkel's focus on climate change during her EU presidency and India and China's engagement with the G8.







But didn't say "She couldn't have done worst than the last guy to hold the presidency".









Ah, now I get it - you were talking about the EU-presidency wink Already wondering, why Schroeder was doing such a bad job.



Europe is not doing so bad at the moment, I guess - apart from Spain and Italy, who raised their emission.

Germany is one of those, who might actually reach its Kyoto emission commitment... on the cost of jobs...



[edit] but you're very sweet, Sym - getting into a ethical debate with yourself, in this situation. Most wouldn't spare a thought, the time the opportunity arises. Like:



First is food, then accomodation, then relationship... and sometimes - when everything else is settled - religion and ethics get their right...
EDITED_BY: FireTom (1173852214)

the best smiles are the ones you lead to wink


NOnactivist for HoPper liberation.
1,643 posts
Location: ffidrac


Posted:
Re: business people thing - i wonder what percentage of business trips are really necessary these days, given that meetings etc can be conducted with telephone or skype conferencing, video can be transmitted over the web etc...

Also, if corporations were generally smaller and less global, there would be much less need to travel, and it could be done by other means than air travel, but that's a whole other debate wink

Aurinko freedom agreement reached 10th Sept 2006

if it makes no sense that's because it's NOn-sense.


FireTomStargazer
6,650 posts

Posted:
I hear you and do follow up on that. Many trips are un-necessary, but Managers like to be important and jet-setting... Kind-a-like: What? My Frequent Flyer Miles have not doubled last year? eek Moneypenny!

the best smiles are the ones you lead to wink


georgemcBRONZE Member
Sitting down facing forward . . .
2,387 posts
Location: Christchurch, New Zealand


Posted:
From my experience, you can certainly achieve an awful lot more than used to be possible remotely, however depending on the culture you are dealing with and the kind of result you are both trying to achieve, there is still a need for face to face meetings. When dealing with my Japanese colleagues in a Global company working on long term design projects, we achieved more over a few beers/shochu than from months of virtual meetings. We didn't even have to discuss work over the drinks, it was simply to allow the mutual respect and trust to become visible that cemented the desired actions discussed in the months of preceding phone/video calls.

But yes, probably the majority of business travel these days is pure Frequent Flyer Miles gathering.

George

Written by: Doc Lightning talking about Marmite in Kichi's Intro thread

I have several large jars of the stuff. I actually like it... a little. And don't tell anyone I admitted to it.
grin


catmandoonewbie
19 posts

Posted:
I dunno, its a tough one, but I reckon that we need to start looking at the smaller things we do first before we try to tackle such a big industry. People are always gonna want to fly - everybody likes things to happen in an instant these days. Theres other stuff such as cars, rubbish electricity etc that we could cut down majorly on that would in time help the environment too! And don't forget boats use petrol too - and the exhaust is blasted into the sea shrug
But I do agree with you, we need to save the envt before it is gone:(

"Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away."


SymBRONZE Member
Geek-enviro-hippy priest
1,858 posts
Location: Diss, Norfolk, United Kingdom


Posted:
https://www.scenewon.co.uk/scene_movie.php?movie=485

This is very good!

There's too many home fires burning and not enough trees


Flashpointnewbie
7 posts
Location: Armidale, NSW, Australia


Posted:
People are going to fly. There's no stopping. Alot of jobs demand international travel which the only viable alternative is flight. Politicians, Doctors, Lawyers, Actors, Performers etc... I don't fly to much if i can help it and usually look for an alternative form of travel. Usually car pooling to reduce fuel cost and that. Sometimes though I do fly for convenience. It takes me 8 painful hours on a train to get to Sydney usually listening to a couple kids cry the whole way at a cost of about $80 Aussie. For $20 dollars more I can fly and be there in 45 minutes to 1 hour.

The way i look at it i got 3 options. I can drive thus adding my cars own fuel emmisions to the planet and probly doing more harm than the other two options to the environment as i'm bringing another fuel emmiting vehicle into the mix. I can take a train which a ticket is going to cost bout the same in which i would spend on fuel but is more environmentally friendly i guess as there are many other people travelling with me. Downside to that though is of course the 8 hour trip. My third option is flying. More economic friendly than me driving myself as the plane would be flying whether or not i choose to take the flight. Same point applies to train. But the plane is most expensive option. At about $100 aus for a ticket. So for $20 dollars more i save myself 7 hours travel time. Well worth it in my opinion and as i said the plane or train are going to do their trip whether or not i'm on them.

I agree that planes are probly the least of our worries if we want to tackle environmental issues. You said planes fly much further and longer than cars bluecat but compare the number of planes flying at any one time to the number of cars driving around at any one time. I'm pretty sure the cars will win in overwhelming numbers as to damage to environment. If we want to do something as someone said earlier start small. More carpooling would be a much bigger help to the environment than a few people choosing not to fly. (As i stated earlier you choosing not to fly isn't going to stop the plane taking off). If you got EVERYONE to stop flying then yes it would but that's will never happen and anyone who thinks it will is a bit dillusional to the real world. Also the development of alternative powersource technology would do wonders. Solar, Wind, Hydro, Hybrid engines etc.

You choosing not to fly is hurting yourself more than anyone else in my opinion. Your turning down high paying gigs around the world you say cause you choose not to fly. Well your turning down experiences that will teach you alot about the world you live in. International travel opens you up to a new understanding of cultures you just can't get any other way. And as i said a few times before. You choosing not to fly is not going to stop the plane or cause any less damage to environment.

If we want to do something that actually will get results. Recycle more, Reuse anything you can, Reduce the amount of materials you use in your life. I'm sure anyone from the states knows the saying Recycle, Reduce, Reuse. Carpool to work or to gigs if possible. There's a million other things you could do that would give you more results than choosing not to fly. Just my 2 cents anyways.

Point of Flash


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