Fridays for Future

"Happiness can be found even in the darkest of times, if one remembers to turn on the light" - Albus Dumbledore, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.

When you start delving into the realities of the climate crisis it is a bit of a rabbit hole. I finally found a name for the frustration and anguish I have been feeling since I returned from my Climate Pilgrimage - climate anxiety (thanks to Lorna Gold's book - Climate Generation for naming it). So when you are suffering from climate anxiety you may experience the following symptoms:

• You see smog everywhere - literally everywhere.
• You walk around wondering where all the trees have gone and are confused as to how you never noticed this before!
• When you are stuck on the M50 with cars backed up in either direction you feel like getting out of your car and screaming "Stop the madness!"
• Shopping in supermarkets has become a nightmare and you stare at plastic covered fruit and veg as if it were the plague.
• When a bumble bee appears (in January!) you find yourself actually apologising to it. 
• You think about how quickly nature would recover if we were not here.
• You want to shake people who think an 18 degree celcius day in February in Ireland is 'lovely'. Especially when it is followed closely by a 2 degree celcius day and snow and the general public don't think this is odd.
• You stand in the middle of a Dublin city centre street with banners that hearld the climate apocolypse.... and this turns out to be the best part of your week. 
• You wonder if your friends are secretly discussing whether or not you have gone nuts.
• You think of your Climate Pilgrimage buddies and remember that there is not really time for despair.  

As I have discovered, small actions give hope. Small actions have become the medicine for climate anxiety. Every Friday for the past 15 weeks, I've joined activists and students outside Dail Eireann (the Irish Parliament) from 1-2pm for the weekly climate strike, known globally as Fridays for Future. These strikes are inspired by the amazing legend that is Greta Thunberg, a 16 year old climate activist from Sweden. Greta has been leading a climate strike from school since August 2018. She has delivered a powerful Ted Talk and delivered kick ass speaches to the UN Climate Conference (COP24) and the World Economic Forum in Davos. What is so inspiring about Greta is her unique ability to tell it like it is. There is no bullshit, no trying to please the adults, no sucking up to politicians. Greta cuts right to the chase. At COP24 she blew me away with the line: "I am not here to ask you to change, because for 24 years you have done nothing. I am here to tell you that change is coming whether you like it or not". You can see her full speech here. It's three minutes that everyone should watch.

In Davos at the WEF Greta said to world economists: "I don't want your hope. I want you to panic. Because our house is on fire." Greta has been joined worldwde by thousands of young people. In Belgium a few weeks ago 70,000 students marched at the weekly Fridays for Future event. The Belgian climate minister was forced to resign as he criticised these young people and accused them of being part of a left wing conspiracy.

Our own strike on Fridays on Kildare St started with 8 people, led by Lorna Gold and Jim Scheer, and has swelled to 120. But the big one is this Friday, March 15th. Thousands of young people all over Ireland will join with the International Climate Strike - a world wide day of action for Climate Justice. It is the most hope-filled movement that I have ever experienced.

Each week students teach us a new chant and new people join us with their colourful banners and epic slogans. Climate Strikes have sprung up in Maynooth, Cork, Kilkenny, Tralee and Galway over the past few months. Saoi has been striking outside Cork City Hall for the past 9 weeks with a sign that has become famous: "The emperor has no clothes", a great line from the Hans Christian Anderson story, now used to criticise the majority who don't speak up for fear of looking stupid. Only the young boy in the story would shout the truth. We probably all learned the song in primary school: "The King is in the altogether...."

Saoi O'Connor outside Cork City Hall

There are marches planned in cities all over the world on March 15th and if that does not open the ears of politicians worldwide take comfort in the fact that the majority of the young people marching next Friday will be of voting age in 2/3 years time. There is no political will to solve the climate crisis because it is not an issue for the general public or if it is an issue for people, they are not expressing that concern to politicians loudly enough. There is clearly an awakening. But with that awakening comes a feeling of helplessness. How can ordinary people have an impact when the issue involves huge fossil fuel corporations and government policy? For this week at least, here's what you can do:

• Everything you need to know about March 15th can be found here: Stop Climate Chaos
• Support the Climate Strike on March 15th by attending your nearest event. 
• If you can't attend you can support it by sharing information on social media.
• If there is no event in your locality, start your own, wherever you are. Take some pictures and share it under the hashtag #fridaysforfuture You can also add your event to the Ireland strike map
  

  

  Dublin Friday for Future Strike

• Help to make banners/posters for your local schools who are involved. For example, this Wednesday evening (March 13th) in the Patagonia store in Dublin there is a banner making workshop.
• Irish students last week made their demands to the Irish government in Dail Eireann. This included a demand for the government to come clean to the public about the seriousness of this climate crisis and to "pull the emergency break". You can write to your TD expressing your serious concern on Ireland's shocking climate record and include these demands which can be found here: School Strike Demands to Government

For those who might criticse these students who are participating in Fridays For Future and not in school consider the following:

• Saoi O'Connor (16), who leads the Cork city strike, tweets to..."the people who’ve accused me of mitching off school, City hall is a two hour bus ride from my house, I get up three hours earlier than I usually would for school to get into the city for 9am. I sit outside City Hall for 7hrs, sometimes with others, sometimes alone!"
• Some of those who attend the Dublin strike weekly have long bus journeys, put huge effort into their banners and chants and could be amusing themselves in other ways if they really wanted to mitch off school.
• Before anyone criticises these amazing young people they might ask themselves when was the last time they themselves took an action against an injustice in our society. This movement is a beautiful sign of a generation of young people engaging in political action. 
• Greta questions the purpose of going to school when older generations refuse to listen to the world's scientific community.

I know where I'll be on March 15th. "Listen Leo Listen, Climate Action Now". Other hits are below. Finally a video that everyone needs to see this weekend, called Seven can be viewed here: SEVEN

What do we want? Climate justice.

When do we want it? Now

 

We're gonna go to our TDs        

We're gonna go to our TDs

We're gonna go to Dail Eireann

We're gonna go to Dail Eireann

1...2...3...4

1...2...3...4

Climate's what we're fighting for

Climate's what we're fighting for

I said Hey, I said Ho,

Fossil Fuels have got to go....

 

 No more coal and no more oil

No more coal and no more oil

Keep the carbon in the soil

Keep the carbon in the soil

"We are unstoppable another world is possible..."

“Yet all is not lost. Human beings, while capable of the worst, are also capable of rising above themselves, choosing again what is good, and making a new start, despite their mental and social conditioning. We are able to take an honest look at ourselves, to acknowledge our deep dissatisfaction, and to embark on new paths to authentic freedom. No system can completely suppress our openness to what is good, true and beautiful, or our God-given ability to respond to his grace at work deep in our hearts. I appeal to everyone throughout the world not to forget this dignity which is ours. No one has the right to take it from us. (Laudato Si, Care for Our Common Home, 205)”

The Climate Pilgrims Part 1

AG Saño

While the climate pilgrimage is over, in many ways it is only beginning. There were so many things I wanted to write about on the road, but there was little time. Now, I've loads of time! So here are a few more reflections in the hope that my ramblings might offer some inspiration to others and help us all to continue to stay in the climate 'hope space'. On the climate pilgrimage I was blessed to meet such inspiring people from all parts of the world. I have learned so much from them and I know that they will all continue to inspire me many years from now.  So here, in no particular order, I will share a little of their powerful stories.  

AG Saño is from the Philippines. He is a marine conservationist, photographer, street artist, climate activist and from what I can gather has many different roles and projects up his sleeve. Together with his brother Yeb Saño, they started the Climate Pilgrimage in the Philippines in 2014, walking from Manilla to Tacloban city (1,000km) to commemorate the first anniversary of Super Typhoon Haiyan. They also walked from Rome to Paris (1,500km) in 2015 for the UN Climate Summit, COP21.  AG is a survivor of  Super Typhoon Haiyan, the  strongest storm to ever make landfall in recorded human

AG painting a mural at our host parish in Trieste, Italy

history. Haiyan slammed into the Philippines in November 2013 killing 15,000 people in the space of two hours. Haiyan was so strong because it had travelled over waters in the Pacific Ocean which were 0.8 degrees warmer than usual. AG lost his best friend Agit in the storm. Agit's wife and 3 year old son also died. In the days following Haiyan, AG helped to collect the dead bodies from the streets of the devastated city of Tacloban. He went days without food. AG walked the climate pilgrimage in the hope that the world would listen to the struggles that the Philippines, and millions of people worldwide, face as a result of Climate Change; these stories need to be heard. In every school, parish, community, town and city that we stopped in on this pilgrimage, AG shared his story. He is an extremely talented street artist and painted powerful murals en route. The rest of us would help with the colouring in, leaving our climate justice footprint behind as the pilgrimage moved on.

AG's mural in our host parish, Trieste, Italy

Yeb Saño is the founder of The Climate Pilgrimage. Yeb worked for many years as the Filipino Climate Negotiator to the UN. He has attend many COPs (UN Climate Conferences) and probably his most famous moment was in Warsaw in 2013. As Typhoon Haiyan devastated Tacloban city, Yeb made an emotional speech at COP19 for all those whose voices could no longer be heard. I encourage you to take four minutes to watch this powerful speech:

On the pilgrimage, Yeb always reminded us that "our physical destination is Katowich and COP24, however our real destination is the minds and hearts of all those we meet on this road." Yeb is now the Executive Director of Greenpeace South East Asia, our pilgrimage DJ and Guru on the road. 

Yeb Saño at the Climate Protest at COP24, Katowich, Poland, December 2018

Climate Litigation:
Yeb & AG, together with other Haiyan survivors, are part of a group who are taking 47 companies, the Big Polluters, to the human rights courts to investigate their contribution to the climate crisis. You can read more about their case here: "Communities seeking climate justice through the power of law".  

A big learning for me on this pilgrimage was that 90 fossil fuel companies in the world are responsible for 70% of the carbon emissions which fuel the climate crisis. Yes, you read that correctly! 90 companies! So while your government is quite happy for you to sit at home and feel guilty about your contribution to the climate crisis, they are continuting to prop up the fossil fuel industry with huge subsidies and continue exploration for fossil fuels. While one would think there is nothing we can do about this, AG and Yeb are part of a movement which aims to hold these fossil fuel companies accountable for their actions. And they are not the only ones.  Many similar cases are taking place worldwide. In the United States a group of young people are taking the Trump Administration to court for backing out of the Paris Climate Agreement. They argue that the US government are in violation of protecting children's rights to a secure future. It is an amazing story which you can follow and engage with here: Our Children's Trust. In the Netherlands recently another successful climate litigation story  emerged and you can read about it here: "Netherlands ordered to increase emissions cuts in historic ruling that puts ‘all world governments on notice".

Climate Case Ireland, led by Friends of the Irish Environment, were recently in court taking the Irish Government to task on its climate inaction. Over four days in the High Courts a litany of inaction on the part of our government was heard by the hundreds of people who crammed into Court 29 in support of the case. Ireland's climate policy is weak and we are per capita one of the biggest polluters in Europe. Our emissions are set to increase in coming years not decrease despite the Divestment Bill being passed in 2018. It was a proud moment to be present in Court 29 during these proceedings in January 2019. People of all ages attended, from toddlers to teenagers, university students to the older and wiser members of the public. You can read about the Irish Case at Climate Case Ireland and give your support to this historical legal action. The verdict is pending in the coming weeks. 

Climate Case Ireland supporters outside the Fourt Courts January 2019

Supporting such cases with our signatures or our presence are all ways we can be in solidarity with people in countries like the Philippines and the generations to come who will feel the full affects of this crisis. It is inspiring to see what small groups of people are doing even when world leaders are failing them. When one thinks about the climate crisis it seems too huge and overwhelming for one person to affect change. Yet it is possible. AG and Yeb Saño and all those involved in such campaigns show me that another world is possible despite the odds. They have certainly transformed my views on climate and have helped me to SEE more clearly the faces of those that are right now directly affected. The climate pilgrimage continues to encourage me to do whatever you can, where you are.

"There is a problem in the atmosphere, but the deeper problem lies in our own hearts"

Yeb Saño. 

"We know that technology based on the use of highly polluting fossil fuels - especially coal, but also oil and , to a lesser degree, gas - needs to be progressively replaced without delay." 

(Pope Francis, Laudato Si, 165)

A mural painted by AG in a primary school in Imelin, Poland, in the heart of the coal mining region of Silesia during The Climate Pilgrimage 2018.

Hospitality on the Road

 "Hospitality is not to change people, but to offer them space where change can take place." (Henri Nouwen) 

We continue our pilgrimage through many villages, towns, communities, schools, cultural centres, forests, highways, country roads and mountains. The past two weeks have been a roller coaster of emotions and challenges. I find it hard to express in words what we have faced as a group from the heartbreaking moment of losing Alan, our fellow pilgrim, to moments of hope and comfort as we are surrounded by so much support; our bonds of friendship and community deepen. This week we crossed into the Czech Republic from Slovakia. Since I last posted we have also walked across parts of Slovenia and Austria. The temperature has dropped dramatically and the lack of daylight is becoming more of a challenge. There is so much to say but for now I want to simply write about hospitality.

In each place that we stop we are hosted usually by a local faith community in either a parish centre, the local priest's house, schools or with host families. Occasionally we also avail of the wonderful community of couch surfing. In these spaces we have been treated so warmly, our every

need met. We experience the best of food and refreshments, warm comfortable places to sleep, hot  showers at the end of a 25-30km walk, somewhere to rest to recharge our bodies and our phones. There are two parts to each day of this pilgrimage, the walking and the resting. While resting we are also working as we often say that while the physical destination of this pilgrimage is Katowich and COP24, the true destination is the minds and hearts of the people we meet. In our resting we engage often on a deep level with those we encounter whether it be at a presentation or event or around the table of our host community. The conversations are not always easy, climate justice brings its complications and as it is a topic which ultimately will effect the lifestyles of people all across the world, it can be difficult. For those who find this topic baffling and unsettling they still listen attentively to our stories and our purpose. There is a space created that oozes a generosity of food and other necessities but also of listening and a desire to understand why on earth we would walk such a distance.



I'd like to share a few memorable experiences of hospitality so far:
In the village of Kuty in Slovakia we arrived after a day's walking to a wonderful welcome in the local church where young people dressed in traditional costumes and parishioners came out on a coldSunday afternoon to sing for us and pray with us. Earlier that day Fr. Francis, the parish priest, and a group of young people came to meet us while we were 11km out from the village and walked with us. It was a lovely gesture of solidarity and welcome. We were then treated to a total feast of food, drinks, laughter and song. It was our last night in Slovakia and the parish of Kuty made sure we had a good send off. On this journey our hosts remind us that we walk for everyone, for those who perhaps would love this opportunity and who want their voices heard yet cannot join us.



In Vienna, Austrian President Alexandre Van der Bellen welcomed us to the presidential palace. He walked with us in the People's Park as we experienced the first snowfall of the Winter. President Vanderbellen showed us around his very impressive office, spent time with us for photographs and wished us well for our journey to Katowich. It was a fantastic gesture of solidarity at State level. All the Climate Pilgrims were given a packed lunch for our ongoing journey which contained the most delicious bar of chocolate I have ever had. I should probably have a different highlight from that presidential audience than the chocolate, but it was seriously good. Joking aside, it was an honour for this pilgrimage to be acknowledged in such a way.



President Vanderbellen is one of 15 heads of state who this week put their names to a joint declaration ahead of COP24. I'm proud to say our own President Michael D Higgins has also signed his name to the declaration which states: "We appeal to the International Community and to all Parties to the Paris Agreement: Let us act jointly, decisively and swiftly to stop the global climate crisis. We call for a successful outcome at COP 24 in Katowice that will bring the Paris Agreement to life through the adoption of detailed operational rules and guidelines on all elements in the Paris Agreement Work Programme." You can read the 15 point declaration here. We were very happy to be hosted by President Vanderbellen, so far the only head of state who was available to meet with us.

Another memorable host this week was in the town of Vyskov in the Czech Republic when we stayed in a local Christian organisation's gym. The care taker was a lovely man called Jaromir who didn't speak English but his kindness spoke more to us than anything. Before we left he gave us each a special candle and a bottle of something to keep us warm, for medicinal purposes of course.

These are only some examples of the generous hospitality we experience each evening. Each meal we eat feels like a very special communion, especially when someone opens their home to complete strangers on the road. I have experienced such kindness and openness on this journey. Without these hosts, our pilgrimage would not be possible. We rely on the generosity of strangers and it is a lesson in letting go. We joke that this has become the food pilgrimage as we sample delicious local cuisine from the four countries we have travelled through. Welcoming strangers is a wonderful gift to give. It encourages me to be grateful every day for all that we receive and in a strange way has helped to melt away insecurities and worries that I might carry on the road. Each morning as we walk I am moved to a space of gratitude for what we have received from our hosts.In return I hope I will always be able to open my home to those who need space to rest.

"Anytime we practice hospitality we follow in the footsteps of our lavishly hospitable God."

(from The Simplest Way to Change the World)

"Then they told what had happened on the road, and how Jesus had been made known to them in the breaking of the bread." (Luke 24:35)

Website: www.climatepilgrimage.com Twitter:#theclimatepilgrimage Facebook:@theclimatepilgrimage

Step by Step for Climate Justice

"An interdependent world not only makes us more conscious of the negative effects of certain lifestyles and models of production and consumption which affect us all; more importantly it motivates us to ensure that solutions are proposed from a global perspective, and not simply to defend the interests of a few countries. Interdependence obliges us to think of one world with a common plan." (Laudato Si, 164).

Part of this Climate Pilgrimage involves many events and actions. When we are not walking 24-30kms per day, we are speaking in schools, parish centres, meeting with climate activists, Mayors, church leaders or perhaps helping AG paint one of his amazing murals. Last week, in the port city of Trieste, Greenpeace Italy arranged for us to meet with Generali, Italy's third largest insurance company. The meeting took place in their beautiful offices in central Trieste; we walked from the Cathedral in procession with many supporters to the offices of Generali.



Gathered outside the main building Luca Iacoboni (Greenpeace Italy campaigner) handed us postcards to write on. These postcards had images of natural disasters from our home countries which have been attributed to climate change in the past year. The postcards were addressed to the Managing Directors of Generali. Each of us wrote a message pleading with them to be brave, be a climate justice leader, to turn away from fossil fuel investment and to stop insuring coal companies. We entered the  Generali building and were met by the member of staff who oversees corporate responsibility. Our Philippino pilgrims shared with them the suffering which has been inflicted on the Philippines because of the climate crisis and also their harrowing experience of Super Typhoon Haiyan, which killed 15,000 people in 2013.

While these negotiations in big companies can be complicated and drawn out, Greenpeace Italy had laid the groundwork over recent months. Last night, as we were preparing dinner in an old school house in the mountains, we got the message that Generali had reached an agreement with Greenpeace and have commited to stop insuring new coal mines. I was really amazed as we had mixed feelings about how our meeting had gone with Generali. While the stories from the Philippines are terrifying and should be a wake up call to the whole world, I was unsure if we had touched the hearts of those we spoke to.  Something shifted for this announcement to have been made yesterday and for me it shows the power of the narrative that AG, Albert and our whole group carry on this pilgrimage.

Our Philippino brothers are the real faces of the climate crisis, so for me this campaign concerns more than something that is happening to people far away from me, this is now about my friends and their loved ones. Now it's personal. When we speak in schools I now look at the students we speak to and am fearful for them. The transformative power of this pilgrimage becomes more visibile day by day, step by step.

In Ljubljana some days ago we met with a Laudato Si study group, all young women who are university students. At another event later that night we met with a representative from Slovenia's Ministry for the Environment and the person who had translated Laudato Si into Slovenian. Climate scientists gave their data on the impacts of climate change so far in Slovenia and theologians unpacked the richness of Laudato Si for those present. We are all working together for a common cause. One young person from the audience asked if she could set up her own Laudato Si working group in Ljubljana and a Jesuit priest who was present committed to work with her on this. So while the climate crisis seems huge and impossible, I am witnessing a conversion of hearts, one person, one village, one company at a time.



The Generali announcement is huge and is down to the hard work by Greenpeace Italy but we all feel that we were part of the last push over the line. Whether it is meeting with insurance companies or encouraging groups of students to start reading Laudato Si, I am convinced that by walking we are contributing something very positive to climate justice. Statistics and figures will not change people's minds about climate change, we have to speak to their hearts. Whenever I hear of the effects of
climate change from now on, I will see the faces of AG and Albert. That is key, to  really SEE the other person. Love of neighbour in this context involves action and it has no time for indifference.

You can read the Greenpeace press release concerning Generali here: Generali

Outside Velenje Coal Mining Plant, Slovenia

"We know that technology based on the use of highly polluting fossil fuels, especially coal, but also oil and, to a lesser degree, gas - needs to be progressively replaced without delay...Although the post-industrial period may well be remembered as one of the most irresponsible in history, nonetheless there is reason to hope that humanity at the dawn of the 21st century will be remembered for having generously shouldered its grave responsibilities." (Laudato Si, 165).

 You can WALK WITH US by taking action in your own country. Before COP24 begins in December it is so important that our governments are committed to immediate climate action:
http://climatepilgrimage.com/take-action/

The Climate Pilgrimage experience so far

I have been on the Climate Pilgrimage now for almost ten days, joining the group in

A mural painted by AG Sano in Trieste

Udine in northern Italy during the severe storms which wrecked havoc on that region over the past few weeks. Heavy rains and flooding have killed 15 people in Italy; in Venice the marathon runners ran through ankle deep water and the next day tourists were up to their knees in it as they tried to navigate around the city. You can read about the floodinghere. It was ironic that I could not visit the city on the first day I arrived there due to the floods. A beautiful city at real risk from sea level rise.

Our group is made up of climate activists from the USA, England, France, Germany and the Philippines. We have an amazing support team organized by a coalition of NGOs such as FOCSIV in Italy, Greenpeace and the Global Catholic Climate Movement. In Italy we were led by our coordinators Claudia and Pepe and since arriving in Slovenia our fearless leaders are Patricia and Louise. We could not complete this pilgrimage without these people. They plan our route for each day, liaise with local NGOs and parishes on the events we speak at each evening and keep us well fed and watered. Logistically they make our journey possible and we only got lost in the forest in Slovenia on a couple of occasions so far! As a pilgrim all you need is the stamina to complete an average of 24kms on most days and the motivation to be here. Some days are easier than others. The rain has been relentless these weeks but you get used to it. The temperatures remain mild for this time of year and locals in northern Italian towns told us that it is ten degrees higher than normal at present.

We are greeted along the way by school children, faith communities, Mayors, Bishops, faith leaders, all who support this pilgrimage and who tell us that we are walking for everyone. In each village, town

and city that we stay in we experience the most generous hospitality. Sometimes we stay with families who may be associated with our support network, or a parish community hosts us; occasionally we are on the gym floor in a local school, regardless I am blown away by the welcome we receive in each place. Since I arrived I've experienced many events where at least 40 people gather to listen to our stories, to bring food and beverages, break bread with us, support our petitions, watch our presentations and generally fill us with so much hope and a sense of solidarity that it is hard to put into words.

The walking takes us through varied landscapes and the highlight so far was leaving Trieste, a beautiful port city in north eastern Italy, to cross into Slovenia. On that day we were joined by 15 people whom we had met along the way and who simply wanted to accompany us over the border. They came from various nearby

Crossing Italian Slovenian border

villages we had visited and walked with us for the 24 kms on Sunday. That is solidarity.

For the past two days we have been in Ljubljana following some rainy days walking. We have been fully occupied with events in parishes, schools and Slovenian national media are keeping us very busy. We even featured on a full page story in Slovenia's national newspaper.

Today is the anniversary of Super Typhoon Haiyan, the strongest typhoon ever recorded in human history which slammed into the Philippines in 2013. 15,000 people died. Please take time to watch and share this short video which features the story of Yeb and AG who lead this Climate Pilgrimage. We walk in solidarity with them and for them and for all who are suffering because of this global crisis.

In the run up to COP24 it is so important that our pilgrimage receives as much publicity as possible and that a strong message is sent to government leaders worldwide. You can walk with us by taking action in your own country. Please follow this link and share with your contacts, colleagues, friends.

http://climatepilgrimage.com/take-action/

Sail 'n Rail Anyone?

My journey to The Climate Pilgrimage began last Wednesday on October 24th. I left Dublin by ferry for Wales and from there took numerous trains to Assisi, Italy.

The climate pilgrims passed through Assisi weeks ago on their journey from Rome and I knew I wanted to visit there as part of this trip. It's the home of St. Francis, patron of the environment and creation, Saint of peace. A flight to Rome is cheap as chips but I had decided that on this occasion I would not fly. We all know the 'inconvenient truth' of the impact of flying on the environment and when you start to read into the facts it's actually quite disturbing. I'm no expert on CO2 calculators or on the aviation industry so I'll just leave a few interesting links for you here: www.dw.com/en/to-fly-or-not-to-fly-the-environmental-cost-of-air-travel/a-42090155 and here:

www.wanderlust.co.uk/content/to-fly-or-not-to-fly/

One fact which blew my mind is that in 2017 only three per cent of the global population flew yet we flew 3.6 billion times.  Three per cent!!! Only 18% of the world's population have ever been in a plane. Once again it brings home the fact that the wealthiest of the world contribute the most to climate change.

It's unlikely that any of us are about to sacrifice our travel plans in the near future, nor is this about piling guilt trips on people. But maybe we could think about how often we fly and what the alternatives are. According to the above article by Wanderlust, Eurostar claim that a flight from London to Paris emits ten times more carbon per person per flight than their service from St. Pancras to Gare du Nord. My epic adventure last week was a long one I'll admit, I arrived into Assisi on Friday morning, but it was extremely enjoyable. Now there are a number of factors involved in order to take this option. I'm in the privilaged position at present to have the time to do this. Also I'm not one to shy away from a bit of an adventure.

My journey started bright and early when my lovely house mate Sarah kindly dropped me to Dublin Port (thanks Sarah, although it wasn't so bright outside!). I was in Holyhead in Wales by 11.30am and in the

centre of London at 4.30pm. For people in Ireland travelling to the UK it's certainly worth considering this as an option. The following morning I took the Eurostar to Paris and an overnight train to Milan. From there a couple more trains to Assisi.

Here my top ten perks of sail and rail in Europe:

1. You don't have to deal with airports, which will eat up half your day anyway.

2. It takes TIME. This is a good thing. You have no option but to SLOW THINGS DOWN. Ommmm

3. You see so much more countryside, coastline, sea, scenery, nature. . . It's good for the soul.

4. You meet far more people than you would on a flight. I counted ten people that I had full conversations with between Dublin and Assisi. That just doesn't happen on a flight. I was able to share with them about The Climate Pilgrimage and not all of them thought I was mad.

5. You can work in a much more comfortable way on the ferry and on trains.

6. It is ten times less damaging to the environment. (See articles above). You might be the eco warrior of the village but as soon as you buy a flight it's very hard to catch up that carbon count.

7. It's far less hassel... no two hour prior show up; no long security queues.

8. It is way more comfortable than a plane.

9. The journey is a destination in itself (probably a quote from somewhere).

10. You get a real sense of a country and you end up being dropped off in the middle of the city, not ten miles outside the city.

Just a few thoughts on the pilgrimage before the pilgrimage. I know we are all addicted to busy, myself included, and are unlikely to stop flying and trying to get 'there' as fast as possible anytime soon. But it is worth asking "do I really have to?"

Any downsides? The only downside was the loud snorer in the cabin on the overnight train from Paris to Milan. It always happens when you can't find the earplugs that are at the bottom of your rucksack. God bless her anyway. (Not the sentiments I used at the time!) Snore on!

"It cannot be emphasised enough how everything is interconnected...When we speak of the environment what we really mean is a relationship existing between nature and the society which lives in it." (Laudato Si, 138-9) 

Www.theclimatepilgrimage.com 

Facebook: @theclimatepilgrimage

Twitter: #theclimatepilgrimage