I helped launch Flight Free USA in 2020 as a chapter of the European campaign and with the support of many local volunteers, friends, and mentors. My spark was my teenage son who came home from 7th grade science and told me that the world was ending unless the world acted quickly. I was devastated to hear this from my child and only began to feel agency when I owned up to my own greenhouse gas emissions and pollution. I found joy and relief in choosing a lower carbon lifestyle, which then emboldened me to share and talk about the climate emergency, which has further led me to advocate for system change.
There are frequent debates about the importance of individual climate action vs. system change. For me they are two sides of the same coin. I wouldn’t be able to show up for one without the other.
Since my family gave up flying five years ago I have had a thousand conversations about climate change. I’ve gone on to help start www.stopOAKexpansion.org an environmental justice coalition in opposition to my local airport expansion. Aviation is only one climate focus and I am equally passionate about others like building electrification, transit oriented development, walkable and bikeable cities, pressuring banks to divest from Fossil Fuels, and getting out the vote. Keeping engaged keeps me hopeful.
I've chosen to not fly for the sake of the climate - I'm not waiting for climate policy to tell me this or tax me for it. Many of us are already embracing the cultural shift that needs to happen to transition off of fossil fuels and we have good stories to share in this Flight Free gallery. Welcome!