The July 28 issue of The NEWS tells about a local Realtor who, along with 70 associates, is embarking on what seems to be a very commendable journey to Machu Picchu.
This holiday is in order to raise funds, for a woman’s shelter. A worthy goal indeed. That is until you consider the carbon emissions as a result of flying by jet to far away lands.
Greenhouse gas emissions are wreaking havoc on our environment. Travel by jet for vacations is one of the most significant and easily preventable sources of such emissions.
It is truly ironic that climate change brought about by such carbon emissions is causing much more grief and loss of shelter and lives in this world than could possibly be mitigated by such a fund raising junket.
If these 70 adventurers spent their travel money on Haven House and their time on local fund raising they could do far more good without the negative consequences.
Even if one buys good quality carbon offsets, understand that with our planet in its current desperate straits, those offsets are needed to be applied to carbon emissions that are unavoidable.
More information is available at, Http://dogwoodinitiative.org/blog/stainsbyfly. The essay found there and written by my brother, Cliff Stainsby, on the ethics of flying is blunter and probably more honest in its assessment of flying than I, but, the facts are unassailable.
I would be delighted if somebody could show me otherwise because I too would like to fly to exotic locations.
I wish I knew how to write this letter without the risk of alienating good friends and relatives who fly but I don’t, and this huge elephant in the room must be discussed.
I will now go and make a donation to Haven House which is an excellent cause.
Dick StainsbyParksville