Research spotlights climate ignorance

TRAVELLERS who went on “flights to nowhere” during the Covid pandemic have laid bare the public’s lack of awareness about how their behaviour contributes to climate change.

According to research by James Cook University’s Dr Denis Tolkach: “These flights quickly sold out but have been heavily criticised for creating unnecessary greenhouse gas emissions. Our research explored the ethical decisionmaking process and the subsequent rationalisation of people who bought tickets on them,” Dr Tolkach said.

Researchers spoke with people who travelled on scenic flights over the Fiji islands during 2020 and 2021.

“Our participants had recently flown on a flight to nowhere, so we could investigate the actual behaviours and attitudes attributed to a specific case, rather than asking about abstract intentions.”

Dr Tolkach said many of the “travellers” sought to justify their behaviour or deny that their actions would meaningfully contribute to emissions.

“This contends that it’s OK to unnecessarily contribute to carbon emissions because the flights are fulfilling a higher purpose. Several passengers commented that taking a flight to nowhere financially supports the airline or it was a special experience with loved ones for a special occasion,” Dr Tolkach said.

“Given the disconnect most passengers had between taking a flight to nowhere and contributing to carbon emissions, policymakers and NGOS should focus on raising awareness regarding how specific actions of individuals contribute to climate change.”