What is meant by flight shame?

In connection with the topics of climate change and climate protection, there is also repeated talk of "flight shame". The term "flight shame" refers to the feeling of air travellers who are aware of the climate-damaging consequences of their journey, but still fly. Thus, they feel ashamed of their flight. At the same time, we also talk about the trend to consciously decide against air travel in order to actively reduce one's personal CO₂ footprint.

 

The word "flight shame" is the translation of the Swedish term "flygskam". The latter became known in 2018 as the hashtag #flygskam via social media such as Twitter, Facebook and the like from Sweden and quickly gained a very large reach. Meanwhile, journalists pick up the word flygskam again and again when reporting on climate change in connection with air travel.

It is indeed the case that air travel is the most climate-damaging mode of transport. For example, an aircraft emits around 200 grams of CO₂ equivalents per person for every kilometre travelled. By comparison, a coach or train emits less than 50 grams of CO₂ equivalents. A flight therefore emits more than four times as much CO₂ per kilometre than a bus or train. For many Swedes, the motto for this reason is #stannerpamarken, which translates as "stay on the ground".

 

You can find further exciting information on the subject of climate change and climate protection in our climate booklet

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