What is travel fresh?

Avoid private vehicles (as much as you can).

Many of us have become accustomed to owning a car, and sometimes more than one. Car ownership levels have been growing globally and are expected to double again by 2040, leading to a huge climate problem. 

If you were planning on buying a car, see if you can hold off and find alternatives which can get you where you need to go. If you’re feeling brave, get rid of the car/s you have, or see if you can join a car-sharing scheme to share the benefit (and the emissions)!

Stop using your car for the ‘Take the Jump’ period and avoid buying one if you were intending to. This is based on a target to eliminate private vehicles and move only to shared and public transport. Of course, there are exceptions to this. Some people are disabled, or may live in remote areas, so need a car to get about.

Keep short haul flights to one every three years.

The sustainable amount to fly is one short haul return flight (destination <1500km) every three years. A long haul return flight is sustainable once every eight years depending on how far you’re flying. We can still see the world: flying abroad 15-20 times over a lifetime, or travelling more slowly overland to different places. But we need to get realistic about the impact of weekend city breaks abroad. Why not visit all the incredible places we have closer to home? These can offer the same relaxation and fun but with none of the stress of international travel. 

WHILE TAKING THE JUMP: Avoid booking any new flights.

While ‘taking the jump’, try not to book any new flights. Why not research into local holidays, train travel or staycations?

Why travel fresh

Globally, transport is responsible for about a quarter of overall greenhouse gas emissions, and more than two thirds of this comes from the engines of road vehicles. The increasing use of private vehicles also causes congestion, noise pollution and air pollution, which is one of the main global health risks humans are facing.

There have been improvements in the fuel efficiency of traditional cars, but rather than reducing emissions, it has just enabled us to travel more for the same cost, and purchase bigger, heavier vehicles. 

Whilst there is a lot of emphasis on the role of electric vehicles (EVs) in tackling climate change, a bigger effort needs to go towards reducing the number of cars on the road. This is because a significant source of emissions is in the manufacture of vehicles - even EVs. Also, switching to EVs won’t help congestion, and still causes air pollution from tyres and brakes. 

Cars have been made a status symbol beyond their perceived convenience and false economy, but are literally killing us in the process.

Aviation currently contributes around 2% of overall global emissions and this figure is increasing more than any other form of transport. Flying is also highly unequal: in the UK, 70% of all flights are taken by just 15% of the population.  The global average number of return flights per person in 2017 was estimated at 1 short haul return flight every 1-2 years (C40 Cities, 2019). Halving this number - committing to one short haul return flight every 3 years - would substantially reduce aviation emissions. 

The adoption of alternative sustainable aviation fuels or new technologies such as electric planes will still be necessary, but limiting flight demand makes this transition easier. It reduces competition with food production given that biomass-based fuels are likely to be the primary alternative to conventional jet fuel. 

It is unjust that a small proportion of citizens flying regularly use up carbon budgets whilst some people can’t afford to fly at all. Alongside this, providing viable alternatives like affordable high speed rail would support everyone to travel better.

How to travel fresh

Check out our ‘How-to’ guides for TRAVEL FRESH above.

They cover:

1. What is TRAVEL FRESH?

2. Why TRAVEL FRESH? 

3. Step by step guide to TRAVEL FRESH 

   1. Take it step by step

   2. Start with the right approach 

   3. Connect with others for support

   4. Having fun with TRAVEL FRESH

4. Resources to help

   1. Apps

   2. Websites

   3. Podcasts

   4. TED talks

   5. Movies

Here’s a sneak peak to whet your appetite…