‘Our Individual Action Does Say Something’: Shaun and Aliza Planning A Different Christmas This Year
Be it driving, catching a bus or taking a train, there is a chance you will be packing to head home for Christmas. But some people have made the choice to put the environment above everything else. Aliza Ayaz and Sean Currie will miss out on seeing their families.
They have chosen not to fly after they decided to drastically limit or stop flying altogether. Instead the pair shall rely on technology to feel connected to their families. Speaking to BBC Newsbeat, the activists have shared their concerns and reasons to not fly.
Thinking About Flights Brings Her Climate Anxiety
Aliza was born in Dubai to Pakistani parents who now live in Saudi Arabia. The 25-year-old studies at University College London and has set up a Climate Action Society there. In addition, she is also a UN youth ambassador for sustainable development.
The activist says thinking about flights brings her climate anxiety, stressing “the carbon footprint of one flight is so enormous, especially a long-haul flight.” In fact, a return flight from London to Riyadh could generate almost 90,500 kg of CO2 per passenger.
Meanwhile, Sean left his family home in the Scottish Highlands and moved to Belgium in 2019. The 26-year-old works with Stay Grounded, a group which campaigns for the aviation industry to be made smaller. He says his main activities are “non-disruptive”.
The activist is involved in lobbying and writing to politicians, but he has also been a part of direct protests. He says he doesn’t condemn demonstrations that might affect ordinary people as the disruption that disasters could cause “will be a whole lot more disruptive.”
Individuals Can Make A Difference
Sean has decided to stop flying and admits the journey over land and sea takes so long that he no longer visits very often. “I don’t think that I can justify to myself the impact that it has on the world,” he further mentioned.
Read More: Ticking Climate Time Bomb: Sub-permafrost Methane Getting Scientists Concerned
Flight Free UK is a charity known to encourage people to pledge to not fly for a year. Its director, Anna Hughes, says it is important to know that individuals can make a difference. She believes if enough people choose alternative travel, the industry will respond to that.
