The Flight Free UK 2021 campaign asks people to pledge to not fly for a year as part of a wider movement on climate change.
Photo Credit: Flight Free UK
The idea is that the more people that decide to not fly as individuals the more may be encouraged to do the same, by sparking a collective behaviour change across the country, which in turn will support in causing (forcing) policy makers to take notice and take action. It's a mini protest which doesn't involved a mass march in the streets. The campaign started in Sweden and will hopefully gain traction around the world. For more on the global campaign efforts, and to hear from pledgers from all over the world, go to the Flight Free World website.
I've already written a blog post about this pledge, but as it's the start of the year, I wanted to draw fresh attention to this fantastic campaign, because it's easy to forget what's important in the midst of coronavirus overload.
This is not about flight shaming, guilt tripping or thinking one action will solve the crisis. It won't. It's not all on us, and we exist in a society that doesn't allow us to live green healthy lifestyles easily. There are a huge number of things built into our lives that mean our individual carbon emmisions are out of our control, and while this is true, I don't think that means sitting back and doing nothing. It's always important to think about where the change (in any subject) is going to come from... despairing won't solve anything, but rising together can be an incredibly uplifting, empowering feeling that simultaneously makes you feel you're not alone in this fight. Personally I found it very motivational to film with others who had come to the same decisions for similar reasons.
Video credit: Flight Free UK vimeo
This is not about flight shaming, guilt tripping or thinking one action will solve the crisis. It won't.
Climate change IS an incredibly overwhelming subject but we all have to be super annoying about it to force companies to stop burning fossil fuels. 60 years is too long for them to get away with the imminent destruction of all life.
Unfortunately Governments around the world are not doing enough so by taking a visible stand, and adopting lifestyle changes (like not flying), I hope that leaders around the world will recognise why we have done this, and take the urgent action needed.
I want to do all I can to show that I care about my life, yours, future generations and people all over the world enough to demand a better future where we don't get effed in the a by the global elite.
I hope that many others are inspired by this campaign to see what choices they can realistically make to their own lives, (doesn't have to be flying) to live a less carbon intensive lifestyle, and will promote other actions like campaigning, petitioning, and generally being vocal and visible.
If you are moved enough to consider not flying for 12 months, you can take the flight free pledge on the Flight Free UK website.
Materials credit: Flight Free UK
I've popped the above flyer in my window for neighbours and passers by to see, and spread the campaign further afield as well as of course sharing out on my social media channels. On the Flight Free World site, you can find out more about how you can spread the campaign!
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