Betsy Thagard, Alabama
Excerpt from CNN Travel article “The travelers who are turning their backs on airplanes”Francesca Street, CNN • Updated 10th November 2021https://www....
Tags
- alabama
- arizona
- california
- china
- colorado
- connecticut
- florida
- georgia
- illinois
- india
- iowa
- jersey
- kentucky
- maine
- maryland
- massachusetts
- mexico
- michigan
- minnesota
- missouri
- montana
- new-hampshire
- new-jersey
- new-mexico
- new-york
- new-zealand
- north-carolina
- ohio
- oregon
- pennsylvania
- poland
- south-carolina
- texas
- vermont
- virginia
- washington
- wisconsin
- wyoming
2
Posts
alabama
Joy, Alabama
Somehow this regular American girl wound up living all over the world. As a teenager I lived in Saudi Arabia, went to school in England, and visited p...
2
Posts
arizona
Joe Ciofalo, Arizona
2024 - Seems a no-brainer to me. Until planes can fly with zero emissions, I’m grounded!2023 - Climate, hassles, stress - these are the main reasons I’m...
Lori Girshick, Arizona
I was inspired a few years ago by Greta Thunberg who said she would never fly again. I already have solar panels and an electric car. I’ve also been v...
31
Posts
california
Rick Watts, California
I am highly worried about the future of our planet. There are 1400+ million metric tons of carbon in the melting permafrost; this is just one example ...
Robert van de Walle, California
I'm co-captain of Team Pineapple, an arts, engineering and athletics team competing in the Kinetic Grand Championship sculpture race. Our sculpture th...
Marilyn Wann, California
I am not willing to fly, because even with an N95 mask, I would risk getting covid, which can do lasting harm. I am not willing to fly because the Rep...
Shani Robinson, California
I have given up my dream of traveling the world. I am going to live a simple, happy, and local life. I am from California and my state is burning. Unn...
Phil Dynan, California
I am pledging because I doNOTwant to be responsible - to any degree - in creating climate change. I've also stopped eating cows....
Heather MacLeod, California
2024 - I'm taking this one year at a time! Last year was my first flight-free year. At the beginning of 2023 I took monthly trips from Oakland to San D...
Mark Huising, California
I'm an academic who used to fly a lot professionally. Invitations to far away places to talk about science are treated as a sign of academic excellenc...
Beth Bailey, California Mexico
I have taken a class withJosh Spodekand used a carbon calculator to determine thatI had contributed 20 tons in 2023 by flying alone. I realized I want...
Mike Roberts, California
Eliminating even one long-distance flight saves more carbon than my family generates at home and from the car for an entire year. I love lowering my e...
Samantha Sommer, California
As a witness to the ongoing destruction of our beautiful planet, the fun of traveling to far away places that once filled my soul with delight, is rep...
Steve Heilig, California
I cut down on flying two decades ago when climate science became already clear enough (and when flying also became ever less fun). With the advent of ...
Scott Peer, California
Having worked on NASA projects for decades and being sensitive about pollution, I started reducing my air travel long ago. The pandemic added more inc...
Anne Faurote, California
I love the beauty of the earth and cannot fathom that I might be a partner in its demise. Thus, I have turned down a job that requires me to fly. It i...
Paul Sheeran, California
My wife and I have always been environmentally conscious and have walked the walk long before society adopted certain important environmental behavior...
Seve Ghose, California
Following from the pandemic, I pledged to not fly anymore based on two premises—one that it is great to use sustainable alternative transportation and...
Christopher Travers, California
My husband and I have not flown since 2017. There are several reasons for this...chiefly, flying is no longer "fun" - it is a chore, a bore, anger-cau...
Sandy & Jeff Granett, California
We pledge to fly less and only to occasionally visit family in Europe. Friends in the USA can meet us at Amtrak! We are fortunate to live in a cycling...
Jim Mathys, California
I look at our planet as a gift from GOD and not flying is a form of honoring GODS gift. Our air, water and soil are gifts to be stewarded. Christians ...
Charlie Cote, California
I have not travelled by plane since 2019. My reasons for using other means of transportation are not only concern for the climate. It is my hope that ...
Greg Spooner, California
Aviation travel is one of the most profligate emissions activities most well off humans can do - and jet travel is just not very necessary in most cas...
Joanne McGarry, California
May more folks forgo flying for 2023.Since the turn of the century, I have flown roundtrip only twice from Northern California to Southern California ...
Bob Martin, California
Preserving life on Earth is more important to me than being able to travel. And by staying home I also save lots of money which I use to support cause...
Joan Starr, California
Why did you pledge this year?Several years ago, I adopted a re-use, reduce, recycle way of living. When my sister declared herself to be flight-free, ...
Gerry Gras, California
“I made a permanent pledge to not fly in 1999. I have flown only once since then. It was round trip to the East Coast in 2003 for an emergency. My mai...
Michael Winkler, California
Michael Winkler served 12 years as a member of the Arcata City Council and as Mayor, and was an outspoken opponent of subsidies and other support for ...
Jenny Holmberg, California
My hope is to never set foot on an airplane again. Since my closest family lives an ocean and a continent away, I know that under certain circumstance...
Twyla, California
I'm flight free because I care about the earth. And climate change is not only going to affect humans, but it's going to affect the animals, the plant...
Spencer R. Scott, California
The below is an extract from Spencer R Scott’s excellent essay“Climate Change Is Too Serious for Casual Flying”onMedium:...
Melanie Alvarado, California
I'm a dual German/American living in California while all my close family lives in Germany. I pledged to be flight free in 2020 and thought it would b...
Bhima Sheridan, California
I am pledging to be flight free in 2021 because I believe that burning hydrocarbons in our outer atmosphere is contributing to the destruction of this...
Ariella Granett, California
I helped launch Flight Free USA in 2020 as a chapter of the European campaign and with the support of volunteers, friends, and mentors. My spark was m...
1
Posts
china
Don Rechtman, China
I'm a US citizen currently residing in China. Travel in China on today's modern China high speed trains is more convenient, comfortable, less expensiv...
1
Posts
colorado
Russell Worth, Colorado
I stopped driving until EVs charged with renewable energy were a possibility. I won't fly until the same is possible with air travel. I feel like more...
1
Posts
connecticut
Lorna Davis, Connecticut
I am ready to settle into my own immediate environment and explore how my life is while stable and connected to nature. No big deal- it just feels rig...
2
Posts
florida
Steve Sikora, Florida
Since the summer of 2022, I decided to go flight-free (and also car-free) — I have used my bike and the train to cover all of my traveling wants and n...
Conrad Ruiz, Florida
I've stopped flying since February 2023, after I decided to move back home with my parents in order to better look after them (my Dad is 97 years old ...
1
Posts
georgia
Kellie Parr, Georgia
I really dislike flying commercial airlines (and LOVE the planet!), so this is a no-brainer! But I love to travel... went on a 10,000 mile cross-count...
1
Posts
illinois
Chase Dost, Illinois
I'm pledging to fly less because I can't fly in good conscience, but I also live far from family. I've made the decision to only fly to visit family f...
1
Posts
india
Manu, Karnataka, India
It's amoral to keep emitting and leave the world so much worse off for our children and the unprotected flora and fauna of the world. If you’re not fr...
3
Posts
iowa
Ed Fallon, former Iowa legislator, talk show host
“I live in the middle of the US (fly-over country, haha) and have family in Oregon, Florida, Massachusetts, and Ireland. This fall, my wife and I are ...
Retired State Senator Rob Hogg, Iowa
I gave up air travel in 2002 because of the very high climate pollution per passenger from air travel. The science is clear that we must cut our clima...
Charles Crawley, Iowa
After many years ofour former State Senator, Rob Hogg, urging us not to fly, my wife and I decided to not fly anywhere unless we absolutely had to (de...
1
Posts
jersey
Carolyn McGrath, New Jersey
I haven't flown since 2018, around the time that I realized we needed to take more dramatic action to reduce emissions if we are to avoid the worst im...
2
Posts
kentucky
Justin Mog, Kentucky
Why submit yourself to the indignity of flying and contribute to the greatest crisis facing humanity when you can simply give yourself more time to ac...
Jackie Green, Kentucky
When did you stop flying, and why?In 1993 a reading of World Watch Institute'sState of the World, followed by other books, all from Perth Australia's ...
1
Posts
maine
Rivera Sun, Maine
During the pandemic, as my industry shifted to online trainings, I saw how much we could reduce our carbon emissions. By making a pledge not to fly, I...
2
Posts
maryland
Judah Adashi & Lavena Johanson, Maryland
With the exception of one round-trip flight for a family emergency in 2021, we have taken and honored the Flight-Free Pledge since January 2020. Four ...
Julie Dunlap, Maryland
Why did you pledge this year?Climate action that truly reduces carbon emissions is more important every year. We need to act like we're in an escalati...
11
Posts
massachusetts
Ben Capraro, Massachusetts
By choosing not to fly I intend to lower the demand such that fewer commercial flights will be scheduled in the future.I hope that my choices alert ot...
Emily Wang, Massachusetts
I stopped flying last year and the benefits have vastly outweighed the downsides (if there are any downsides at all!). I got into biking for the first...
Joshua Myrvaagnes, Massachusetts
What are your alternatives to flying?Train and videoconferencing, walking, bicycling, poetry, and drL--an un-technology that slows us down instead of ...
Tim Peters, Massachusetts
I'm committed to not flying during the climate emergency. Our planet is on fire...I don't need to add any fuel to it! There's so much diversity in my ...
Sam Christy, Massachusetts
If we are remembered at all by future generations it will not be for our achievements, awards, or the exotic places we visited, it will be for the ans...
Parke Wilde, Massachusetts
I won't fly in 2023 because of the climate crisis.A long time ago, back in 2014, I resolved not to fly unless "truly necessary" and then found to my s...
James Comiskey, Massachusetts
Since 2019, I have spent only 2 hours on a plane for a friend's wedding where there were no other options to get to it. I plan to continue to choose a...
Dan Holder, Massachusetts
I was forced to fly the friendly skies for a period of almost 30 years due to my employment for a major construction company in Texas. Towards the end...
Staci Montori, Massachusetts
“Four years ago I took a pledge to stop flying to reduce my carbon footprint and calm my intense climate anxiety. I believe the climate emergency need...
Rev. Fred Small, Massachusetts
Rev. Fred Small works as a an activist, musician, and pastor and took the Flight Free pledge.“It’s no longer enough to shrink our personal carbon foot...
Janie Katz-Christy, Massachusetts
Janie Katz-Christy took the time to reply to ourquestionnairewhile pledging to be Flight Free - for as long as the climate needs! Here are her answers...
2
Posts
mexico
Beth Bailey, California Mexico
I have taken a class withJosh Spodekand used a carbon calculator to determine thatI had contributed 20 tons in 2023 by flying alone. I realized I want...
Nodiah Brent, New Mexico
In 2018, a family member and I went to Italy and The Netherlands to visit friends and family. When we returned, I asked him if he had enjoyed the trip...
6
Posts
michigan
Woody Smith, Michigan
The planet needs us to change the way we live. Consume less, squander less and fly not at all. It’s been 5 years since I’ve been on a plane and I’ve b...
Suzannah Tobin, Michigan
I can no longer justify flying. Any pleasure I would get from traveling to a destination by air would be massively outweighed by the guilt I would fee...
Jon Mill, Michigan
I am 51 years old and I am pledging to not fly the rest of my life. I don’t have to fly for work. I live in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula so I don’t have...
Norma Bauer, Michigan
I don't want jet fuel and its exhaust poisoning the atmosphere and causing environmental disasters. I'll take Amtrak. Even though it takes a lot longe...
Dawn Fleming, Michigan
I want to reduce my negative impact on global climate change as much as possible. We installed solar panels on our house roof, bought an electric car,...
Ken Garber, Michigan
Flying is emblematic of the excesses that are causing worldwide emissions to continue to grow. I cannot be complicit....
2
Posts
minnesota
Matt Karl, Minnesota
Flying is the dirtiest (most CO2-heavy) activity millions of us do every year. Given the climate emergency we're in, it's really a no-brainer to simpl...
Autumn Raw, Minnesota
My flight-free journey began as inauspiciously as you can imagine. It was not born out of an awareness of my carbon emissions, or my desire for slow t...
2
Posts
missouri
Victor Poland, Missouri
Why are you flight free?Flying contributes to global warming and the continued climate crisis. This pledge was a great next step for me to go flightle...
David, Missouri
In 2019 David had logged in 15 hours of flight time but in 2020 he became a huge advocate for rail, he belongs to theRail Passengers of America Associ...
1
Posts
montana
Melissa Blessing, Montana
Why I am flight free:I am a child of inherited wealth so there have been endless opportunities to fly all over the world. But being born to wealth, th...
1
Posts
new-hampshire
Katherine, New Hampshire
Considering the urgency of the climate crisis and the necessity to halt carbon emissions immediately for the sake of safeguarding biodiversity and our...
1
Posts
new-jersey
Carolyn McGrath, New Jersey
I haven't flown since 2018, around the time that I realized we needed to take more dramatic action to reduce emissions if we are to avoid the worst im...
1
Posts
new-mexico
Nodiah Brent, New Mexico
In 2018, a family member and I went to Italy and The Netherlands to visit friends and family. When we returned, I asked him if he had enjoyed the trip...
7
Posts
new-york
Eunnye Yang, New York
My last flight was in Summer 2016 to visit South Korea. I have not flown since then.I used to love flying all over the world and visiting Korea was a...
Mandy Beckley, New York
After a friend posted his decision to not fly anymore on social media, a huge welling of truth came up inside me and I knew it was true for me too. It...
Richard Reiss, New York
I stopped flying in 2012, the day after we interviewed Klaus Lackner, a pioneer in carbon capture. This is just a minute and a half to explain why:htt...
Zac Bellinger, New York
I will Amtrak or stay put. I've also hitchhiked extensively and can do more. All of my needs can be fulfilled within North America. Burning fossil fue...
Josh Spodek, New York City
Digging for oil displaces and kills communities, cultures, and wildlife. Pollution kills people and wildlife by poisoning air, land, and water. Leadin...
Art Weaver, New York
I have not flown for over 5 years now but may be forced to in 2023 if I relocate outside the continental US. But if so, it will be a one-way, one-time...
Jane van Dis MD, New York
I have been drawn to climate action since 2008, the year my twins were born. I stopped flying for work in 2021 and for pleasure in 2019. The last time...
1
Posts
new-zealand
Sue Boyde, New Zealand
I learned from the first XR Talk I attended in 2018 about the emissions of flying. I haven't taken a flight since then. I have reduced my emissions to...
1
Posts
north-carolina
Bob Cherry, North Carolina
Why did you pledge Flight Free 2023 and what are your travel alternatives to flying?I’m retired so there is less hurry to get places. Looking forward ...
1
Posts
ohio
Cynthia Starr, Ohio
I have flown once since 2018. I drive an EV about 2,500 miles a year and am currently planning my second trip to New York via Amtrak. The train ride f...
12
Posts
oregon
Gabriel Trainer, Oregon
I haven't flown since 2019, it's way past due to take climate change seriously....
Beth Hamon, Oregon
Between the ages of 0 and 36, I boarded an airplane exactly twice. Due to a midlife career change, my flying shot up quite a lot after age 40, with mu...
Evelyn Wallace, Oregon
If you had asked me a little over a year ago the likelihood of me giving up intended flying for the rest of my life, I would have assured you the like...
Gabriel Vegh-Gaynor, Oregon
I pledge to have less frequent air travel and to be more intentional and grateful for the ability to travel when I do. Primarily as a climate action a...
Nancy Friel, Oregon
I strongly believe that everyone, especially those with financial means, must do everything within their personal power to reduce greenhouse gas emiss...
Rick Meis, Oregon
The last time I flew was the year Greta Thunberg was born. It was nearly 10 years before that when I learned that flying is a far too significant cont...
Larkin Willis, Oregon
There aren’t many things I can do to help regarding climate change as one individual. This, for me, was a no brainer. I thought it would feel like a h...
Bar Shirtcliff, Oregon
I haven't flown since learning of Greta Thunberg's refusal to fly across the Atlantic, opting instead to travel by sailboat, back in 2019. If she can ...
Lily Donohue, Oregon
I am flight free this year for my son’s future! Our goal is to fly no more than one trip every other year. This is our off year....
Charles Hottle, Oregon
Why did you pledge Flight Free?There is so much to do and see in our region, which is the Pacific Northwest. Our choices in the vehicles that we drive...
Rona May, Oregon
The last time I got on a plane, it was taking me from Alaska to Washington in 2014. I was watching the northern lights dance faintly through the windo...
Kate, Oregon
I stopped flying 12 years ago, and now my much-improved “bucket list” includes local hiking and kayaking and working with activist groups to clean up ...
5
Posts
pennsylvania
JD Stillwater, Pennsylvania
My conscience won't let me do it. I did fly this past June, when I had to be at two conferences four states away on the same day. I would sign the top...
Bethany Bretzik, Pennsylvania
The climate crisis demands immediate action from every person, family, company, and government on the planet, but most especially from those who live ...
Isabella David McCaffrey, Pennsylvania
At first, I found the whole burning-our-own-home down to the ground thing too terrifying to approach full-on.I began blogging about sustainable style ...
Sara, Pennsylvania
Why did you pledge this year?We all must do all we can to reduce our individual and collective carbon footprint. We must also advocate at the state an...
Kate Pourshariati, Pennsylvania
I’m thinking every day about Benjamin Lay and Greta Thunberg. Sometimes there are radical trailblazers that shine a light on a trail. We see that our ...
1
Posts
poland
Victor Poland, Missouri
Why are you flight free?Flying contributes to global warming and the continued climate crisis. This pledge was a great next step for me to go flightle...
2
Posts
south-carolina
David Quick, South Carolina
Our living planet - as we know it - is dying. Trying everything I know to do my part. Not flying is low-hanging fruit.Last flight - 2018....
Matthew Whitehouse, South Carolina
I am a musician (organist) and astronomy educator. Prior to the pandemic, I flew internationally/long-haul 1-2 times a year for conferences, recital p...
3
Posts
texas
Jeff Rosen, Texas
I have flown enough to cover my carbon footprint for many lifetimes. I will fly no more. I purchased a travel trailer in 2021 and will limit my travel...
Jim Neal, Texas
Why did you pledge this year?My journey to no flights began prior to the pandemic, and I have not flown since 2019. I never intend to fly again except...
Garl Boyd Latham, Texas
I've been "flight free" since 1996 and have no plans to change, unless I have to - and I hope I never have to!Of course, attempting to stick to passen...
10
Posts
vermont
Ashley Strobridge, Vermont
I haven't flown since 2001 due to my neurodivergencies, and later, due to my size due to medications I take for my neurodivergencies. I now also refus...
Ruah Swennerfelt, Vermont
My husband and I stopped mostly flying in 1995. We traveled a lot for our work and used Greyhound and Amtrak, with an occasional flight, when it was t...
Theresa Haywood, Vermont
Even though I live 1200 miles away from my family in the Midwest, my husband and I have utilized Amtrak almost exclusively over the last 15 years to m...
Chris Gish, Vermont
There is magic to traveling patiently and slowly. I don't have a car, so I bike, walk, use public transit or rideshare to get where I need to go. This...
Helen Flannery, Vermont
I have flown on a lot of airplanes in my life. They have taken me to spectacular places, let me keep in touch with far-flung friends and family, and e...
Robin Lloyd, Vermont
I mulled over whether I should sign up for the “Infrequent Flyers Club” or Flight Free, and I realized that my significant others—my son, my siblings,...
Laura Hardie, Vermont
The train from New York to Florida marked the beginning of my flying diet. And our family loved it. Here's why I'm cutting out flying at every opportu...
Jack Hanson, Vermont
In 2015, I studied abroad in Copenhagen during my junior year of college. Later that year I calculated my emissions and learned that my flight to Denm...
Former State Rep. Curt McCormack, Vermont
Representative Curt McCormackhas pledged Flight Free - and we are so happy to learn about politicians who are actually walking the walk, not just talk...
Dan Castrigano, Vermont
I calculated my personal emissions in 2019 and found that 85% of my emissions came from flying. That sealed the deal. October 6, 2019 was the last tim...
2
Posts
virginia
Donna Shaunesey, Virginia
I’m a climate activist and am lucky enough to be able to take the train to visit family....
Shelley Bourdon, Virginia
I travel now by car or by train (if possible), and because I don't plan to fly anymore I didn't renew my passport last year....
14
Posts
washington
Jeffry Steele, Washington
I sought to prove that I could drive my VW Id4 from WA to MA and back (via MD). It was a memorable adventure though—between fast-charger rates, overni...
Curt Hill, Washington
I’ve known flying was terrible for the environment, but I kept justifying. It’s become time for stop! Flying will now become something I rarely do!...
Linda Ellsworth, Washington
Why pledge Flight Free for the Climate?I already live in paradise. I have no need to travel. One of my favorite pastimes is hiking in the local forest...
Betsy Newnum, Washington
I plan on flying 1-2 trips only, in 2024, saving them for family needs. Retired, I can drive my car only every other day, as best as I can, walking t...
Don Parda, Washington
Less flying is part of my overall messaging as follows.Consumers (individuals, organizations, businesses, governments) must promptly minimize their gr...
Peggy Printz, Washington
Letter to the Editor, Seattle Times, Monday, December 18,Instead of “fixing" flying as the author of “Why Flying Is Miserable - And How to Fix It” desc...
Andronetta Douglass, Washington
I generally travel by city bus while home. I was a world traveler but my last flight was in 2019 and I vow to only fly for emergencies that require it...
Rob Stevens, Washington
I cannot, in good conscience, continue to fly while knowing that climate change is affecting our planet and my lifestyle is having a detrimental impac...
Kathy Parker, Washington
I pledged to not fly from 2019 through 2023 in order to reduce global carbon emissions, reduce fossil fuel consumption, reduce global spread of pandem...
Dorothy O'Brien, Washington
I have always felt flying was perverse. It is not only utterly unnatural for humans to fly off into the atmosphere, it is uniquely natural to humans t...
Linda Zielinski, Washington
When I look back at the few times in my 75-year old life that I've flown, most of those times were really for entertainment, disguised as "cultural en...
Loree Bryan, Washington
I have always dreamed of visiting many places in Europe, but the earth is more important to me than my little travel dreams. Instead, I will focus on ...
Bill Mania, Washington
I couldn't claim to be concerned about the climate crisis and continue to fly. I can't expect to improve transit options across the US if I continue t...
Jerry Bryan, Washington
Flight Free 2020 provided the impetus to quit the day job that made me fly, and the relief was immediate on multiple fronts. A Flight Free 2021 vow is...
3
Posts
wisconsin
Jacob Klaameyer, Wisconsin
Drove more than the circumference of the Earth in a Prius to visit family last year on my year of no flights! A ton of travel and emissions, but still...
Will Stedden, Wisconsin
I stopped flying in 2019 to better align my actions with my values. Since then I've learned just how amazing local travel is and how it gives me the o...
David Matthews, Wisconsin
Why did you pledge this year?I stopped flying in 2018 but this year was the first time I had heard about the pledge. It is also the first time that I ...
1
Posts
wyoming
Sam Dahnert, Wyoming
I believe any interurban passenger flight shorter than 2,000 miles should not need to exist, and that reliable, efficient alternatives should be readi...