Flying is just one of many examples of excesses from which the wealthy benefit at the expense of the most vulnerable. Fortunately, travelling doesn’t need to be put on hold until green aviation comes along. Given the acute need to tackle the climate crisis, and the ability to increase rail capacity using existing technologies and adding to existing infrastructure, train travel requires greater investment and support. Until then, and even in geographies where there are no sustainable travel options, flying must remain a luxury we forgo if we are serious about doing our part to tackle the climate crisis.

"Who is sustainability for?" is a great question, but I am consistently disappointed with the answers from academics and activists alike. Environmental, ethical consideration has already been extended to individuals without regard for geography, sex, race and age and should now be extended to all sentient beings regardless of species.

When thinking about the actions necessary to limit the disastrous effects of climate change, few things come to mind before electric cars. By focusing on tailpipe emissions and marketing electric vehicles as environmentally friendly, electric car companies have convinced individuals that car dependency is okay, so long as the vehicles are not (directly) powered by fossil fuels.

Cars are terrible. They are loud, dangerous, expensive, take up far too much space, are socially inequitable, and damage our health and environment. Yes, even the electric ones. Car dependency is an urban planning choice. Ultimately, individuals will make environmentally harmful transportation choices so long as the infrastructure around them supports harmful transportation as the most convenient.

The 2022 United Nations Emissions Gap Report states that “there is no credible pathway to 1.5°C in place.” Each individual must have an equal right to use an equal share of resources and contribute their share of pollution if we are to create a just society. The actions needed might seem like drastic action but is insignificant when these actions hinder lifting billions out of poverty and suffering in a sustainable manner.

Agriculture can be a powerful force for good. It alleviates hunger, provides jobs and allows for productive, healthy individuals and societies. Despite the positives it brings, agriculture also undeniably negatively affects the planet. The challenge is to reduce this impact to the minimum possible whilst meeting nutritional demands sustainably and equitably.

Traditional hotels can be expensive, and unreliable, negatively affect local residents and can have a significant impact on the urban environment. CityHub aims to solve these issues. Whilst we might not always stay in a pod, we will be returning to CityHub for many of our shorter stay journeys where we want to save money whilst enjoying the beautiful cities where CityHub exists.

Climate change exists and is being accelerated by human activities. To deny this is to create and enable a system where politics creates reality rather than a system where politics is guided by reality. A lack of care towards the biosphere upon which all socio-economic systems inherently rely is already shaping policy.

The legal end goal of veganism is to make illegal practices which unnecessarily harm, exploit and kill sentient, non-human animals. Where vegan alternatives are available, this is almost always an ‘opt-in’ system. By switching the standard option to vegan meals, the standard benefits animal liberation, health, the environment, costs and inclusivity.

The automobile has long symbolised freedom and individuality. Cars are advertised as the rejection of reliance on others, allowing an individual to go where they want to, when they want to. Society must combat this by showing the realities that car-centric design reinforces: inequality, discrimination, higher taxes and environmental catastrophes. We must turn away from the automobile and embrace the freedom gained in doing so.

Electric cars have been marketed as the solution to the climate crisis. Although electric cars certainly have a role to play in the future of mobility, simply replacing combustion engines and petrol tanks with electric motors and lithium-ion batteries is not going to fix the climate crisis.

In reality, electric cars represent the idea of an environmental future where more energy can be consumed without destroying the planet so long as it comes from renewable sources. This view is far too simplistic and looks towards future solutions, which may or may not be realised, to solve issues we are facing today.

Travel is only one small, but significant and growing, part of mankind’s impact on the planet. In order to mitigate the impact of the climate crisis, we must start taking real action in all aspects of our lives possible. This includes sacrificing luxuries or paying more for them. Sustainable and ethical travel may come with its costs and disadvantages but as it is necessary that we immediately move away from our current models of holiday-making. This is a price that we must be willing to pay.