I Want to Become a Minimalist

[Signalstar]

Farsala said:
"I have not had a car for about 4 years. I prefer public transportation and it is better for the environment." and "I like to travel. I visited two countries this year."

Those 2 quotes are a bit contradictory, A car and road tripping around your own country would probably save more than a plane ticket and public transportation.

If you traveled to another country by plane, then that is not being minimalist to the environment. As a person seeking to travel a lot myself, I am well aware of just how harmful flying is to the environment. Using a car or public transportation pales in comparison. For example in my car, I filled it 5-10 times a year, which is about 50-100 gallons ( or 189 to 378 liters), a single round trip ticket to another country for me uses about 174 gallons ( or 660 liters). Of course the plane ticket has the advantage of being per person, so if I carpooled with anyone at any point I am already saving more gas then showed. And the numbers just get worse if I decide to take multiple trips in a year.

The plane is taking off with or without me. If I did not occupy my seat either someone else would have or it would have been empty. The plane uses the same amount of fuel regardless. Whereas if I have a car, every solo trip I take is completely on me and I responsible for that pollution. I also am willing to accept that I am not a perfect minimalist. Like physical books, travel is one of those things I want more of not less. I tried to join a ecological cruise ship that was sailing around the world that way I could see the world with minimal harm to the environment but it did not work out for me. If I am lucky I will travel to 3 countries next year.