Picture this: you're on a cargo ship in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, surrounded by a vast expanse of water when suddenly, you feel a sharp pain. No, it's not a metaphorical pang of regret for opting for the slow boat rather than the quick and painless intercontinental flight; it's an actual mite bite. Welcome to the wild world of Gianluca Grimalda, a climate scientist with a penchant for slow travel and an unwavering commitment to the environment… machete-wielding gangsters, bed bugs, job loss and all. 

While some of us fret about recycling and turning off lights, for Gianluca, hopping on a plane is morally unacceptable as it accounts for 90% of his carbon footprint. Planes emit a whopping 2.5% of total CO2 emissions and are responsible for 4% of effective radiative forcing - a closer measure of the impact of global warming. And with literally 6 million people taking flights every single day (not to mention the thousands of empty planes airlines fly across our skies to keep their flight paths safe), those figures aren’t going to land any time soon.

So what’s the solution for a dedicated German-based scientist whose fieldwork is located on the other side of the world Bougainville, Papua New Guinea? Slow travel, of course! Gianluca has had an impeccable 13-year record of conscientious objection to flying, opting for slower, more sustainable methods of travel.

We’re joined by Gianluca himself today to hear about his epic journey from Papua New Guinea back home to Germany, avoiding planes and choosing ferries, cargo ships, trains, and coaches as his mode of travel. All while attempting to avoid pirates, war-torn countries, visa debacles and with this ultimatum from his boss… fly back now or lose your job. 

Gianluca's primary mission in Papua New Guinea is to study how people adapt (or don’t) to climate change. Coastal communities there have already relocated inland due to sea-level rise and drought-induced famines. Climate change isn't just a concept in the distant future, it's affecting them now. And rather unfairly we might add, as they tread remarkably lightly on their patch of the planet. 

So he made a promise to the people of Bougainville. Gianluca would reduce his carbon footprint as much as possible. Even if it meant losing his job (which he did). What a freaking legend. 

You might say that the best way to reduce carbon emissions would be to not travel at all. Why not take that to the extreme and kill yourself? That would sort out your emissions nicely. But considering the incredible work Gianluca is doing in these remote communities to raise awareness of what’s really happening to our planet, the reason WHY they have no crops and WHY their coastal communities have had to relocate inland… Gianluca concludes the benefit far outweighs the cost. 

“The more mad option, than losing my job over a single plane flight, is to return to business as usual as if earth’s resources are unbounded.” GIanluca’s commitment to his conservationist morals is nothing short of amazing. Leading by example, he hopes people who come across his amazing story will question both their need for air travel and their broader everyday decisions amidst a climate crisis actively impacting people right now.

SOURCES:

• Climate change and flying: what share of global CO2 emissions come from aviation? Our World in Data
• Climate expert ‘sacked’ after refusing flight to Germany over carbon emissions, The Guardian
• How Many Flights Per Day Take Off and Land, Trip.com