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We’ve all heard about the latest travel woes in the news: fuel prices rising, the US dollar struggling, airlines racking up cancellations, delays and inconveniences almost as quickly as they rack up new fees and charges for their passengers, and of course, environmental concerns about the impact of flying and driving on the planet.
I heard an interesting report on the news though, here in my hometown of Ottawa. It was about the increase in gas prices, and everyone interviewed said they were extremely concerned – funnily enough, though, they all said they had no intention of changing their driving habits to reduce their consumption.
So how will your travel style change, this summer and into the future? Will you move more slowly, fly less, ride-share, or try to reduce your impact? Take the train? Purchase carbon offsets? Avoid the Euro zone, and visit South America instead? Or just carry on as planned?
I’m curious to know how everyone is planning to tackle these new travel challenges, both financial and environmental.
May 22nd, 2008 at 6:51 am
If it becomes possible one day to travel overland safely through today’s hotspots like the countries around the Caspian sea and along the edges of Sahara, then all my traverls would be slow. But now safety concerns make it only wishful thinking. No chance will I reduce my travelling.
May 22nd, 2008 at 8:47 am
For some reason the gas thing makes me mad. I feel like the super rich are turning the screws to the middle and lower class while they have a president whose family has a long history in the oil business–the fox is in the henhouse and he’s hungry. (I may be wrong but that is how I feel, and I cant shake this feeling.)
I can actually afford the gas hikes but it irks me probably more than it should.
So my friend says, “Don’t buy gas if you don’t like the price.” Easier said than done. But he is right. Put up or shut up.
So that is what I am trying to do. I’m staying home this summer. Driving as little as possible. (I took the train on monday.)
I have easily cut my gas consumption in half.
My goal is only drive when there is no alternative.
(It’s bloody hard to do in Socal.)
The funny thing about taking the train this week was that I felt like I do when I am traveling. I was on the ground meeting the common people, the locals. lol. It was fun. But you need to double your travel time, which is hard if you have places to go and people to see in this fast-paced society.
May 22nd, 2008 at 8:47 am
For some reason the gas thing makes me mad. I feel like the super rich are turning the screws to the middle and lower class while they have a president whose family has a long history in the oil business–the fox is in the henhouse and he’s hungry. (I may be wrong but that is how I feel, and I cant shake this feeling.)
I can actually afford the gas hikes but it irks me probably more than it should.
So my friend says, “Don’t buy gas if you don’t like the price.” Easier said than done. But he is right. Put up or shut up.
So that is what I am trying to do. I’m staying home this summer. Driving as little as possible. (I took the train on monday.)
I have easily cut my gas consumption in half.
My goal is only drive when there is no alternative.
(It’s bloody hard to do in Socal.)
The funny thing about taking the train this week was that I felt like I do when I am traveling. I was on the ground meeting the common people, the locals. lol. It was fun. But you need to double your travel time, which is hard if you have places to go and people to see in this fast-paced society.
May 22nd, 2008 at 8:59 am
Riding your bike work solves both problems at once. Financial and environmental.
May 22nd, 2008 at 11:08 am
My travel plans will remain the same — I’m traveling to Europe for 3 months, but mostly that is because my flight and lodging is already paid for. I can imagine that people are going to find the high cost of traveling to places like europe tip the scales on any cost-benefit analysis.
May 22nd, 2008 at 11:47 am
Im planning on taking an east coast trip through the U.S. I am going to try dealing with gas prices by buying a Bike that is very good with gas. I also plan on camping out whenever and wherever I get the chance. If any one has comments or advice please feel free to comment.
May 22nd, 2008 at 5:21 pm
There are so many places left for me to see outside of the Euro zone that it really doesn’t matter. It’s no fun to see the US dollar weaken against nearly every currency, but I wouldn’t want to let that stop me from travelling.
July 29th, 2009 at 8:28 pm
I think for me travelling is going to be something more close to home. My work is in sales so there’s not as much money to spend right now. I’ve been camping locally more this year than I have my whole life and it’s been great.
July 30th, 2009 at 9:59 pm
I think that travelling for most people is going to be more along the lines of staying in their own areas. Doing things like camping and maybe short road trips. I for one and staying close to home.