Places to plug in electric cars need to be easier to find than gas stations. And when we fly, we need smart flight paths that eliminate contrail production. Those white condensation trails, or contrails, that you see in the sky after airplanes pass by are responsible for half the climate impact of flying. And we need different ways to power flights, from electric batteries to sustainable aviation fuels.
The best choices are often the hardest, most expensive, or least available. Individuals drive systemic change by talking about why it matters, joining groups, advocating in their communities, and speaking up to decision-makers. Personal action starts conversations—but collective voices are what change the rules of the game.
Nunn: When travel is unavoidable, how do you decide when it’s worth it? What do you think about the difference between discretionary travel and the travel that keeps society and families intertwined?
Hayhoe: There’s something different of course about connecting with people in person. So when I travel, to New York Climate Week for instance, I bundle. I never travel for single events. Even if there’s just one important main event that I’m going somewhere for, I am sure to make the most of it by working more. At climate week [this past September] I had 48 meetings.
We make decisions for multiple reasons and for me, seeing family is essential. I could not live in Texas if I were not able to fly home to see my family, especially when there are health emergencies or other stressful situations. In other cases, people have to fly for work (although I do think there is a lot of cultural change we can do there).
So I think that when it comes to travel, the important thing is to be thoughtful about it. Why am I doing it? Is it necessary? What will I accomplish through it? How can I use it to make a difference (including recharging my batteries for more climate action to come)?
Nunn: How do you approach vacation travel?
Hayhoe: The only vacations I’ve travelled for since my honeymoon 25 years ago have been either to visit immediate family, or I take vacations in places where I’m already there for one of my work bundles.
A lot of the places I go for work I wouldn’t have initially chosen for a vacation. I’ve never gotten to go to many of the places on my bucket list such as the Galápagos Islands or an African safari. But I have learned to love taking anywhere from a day or two, to up to a week sometimes, to explore where I am, wherever I am, and every single time it has been wonderful. The world is such a rich and interesting place.
Nunn: Do you or have you ever bought carbon offsets? Why or why not?