Source: JobTube, Arianna J., Josh B., Chengdu Economic Daily
"Air travel is one of the biggest personal impacts on climate change"
When Roger tells people that he came to China by train, people don't understand why. After knowing the reason, people began to question his method, due to most people not having the time or money to do such a thing. Most netizens think that this is an of impractical act, and there are even satirical words in the comments.
"I agree. Not many people can do it." Roger told reporters that he wanted to "emphasize the carbon emissions of air travel, because most people haven't realized it yet. Many people even think that it's more polluting to take a train than to take a plane. "
Roger, a social researcher at the University of Southampton in the UK, had previously come to China three or four times, all by air. Last year he decided to travel by train. He said that he came to China for work and didn't intend to attract attention, but he did get attention from the media. In addition to the British and Chinese media, the media of the United States, India, New Zealand, Bulgaria also came to interview him.
This trip to China is the longest train journey of his life so far. It took two weeks to get from London to Beijing.
He only stayed in Kiev, Ukraine and Moscow, Russia. For most of his time, Roger just sat on the train during which he completed a lot of work, watched films, read books and enjoyed beautiful scenery along the journey.
During the journey, Roger took 24 trains, crossed 9 countries, and changed from high-speed rail, to intercity train, and to sleeper.
Per Roger, European trains are basically quite modern, the vast majority of them are electric, with low carbon emissions. It was quite comfortable to travel from London to Poland. In contrast, the train from Poland to Russia via Ukraine is much older, and the three-person sleeper is not very comfortable.
In comparison, the trains in Russia were relatively more modern. The Siberian railway is very famous and a route that Russians are very proud of. In this section, Roger took a four-person sleeper. The car was comfortable and clean and the food was good. When it comes to Mongolia, the train car was very old. Although the train was not very comfortable, the scenery was very beautiful. Roger said the high-speed train in China was fast and comfortable, with electric power and low emissions.
"For most ordinary people, flying is the biggest personal impact on climate change, more than driving, food, home energy use, and recycling. We should regard flying as a luxury, not a casual thing. "
Roger pointed out that his trip to China has reduced carbon emissions by nearly 90% compared with air travel.
According to data from the European Commission, a passenger's round-trip flight from New York to London produces carbon dioxide equivalent to the carbon emission of an average person's house heating for a whole year in the European Union, CNN reported.
Last year, IPCC reported that it would take less than 11 years to stop global warming from reaching catastrophic levels. And that's what made Roger decide not to fly anymore.
China's High-speed Train is a Great Example
"I think many short flights can be replaced by trains. China's high-speed train network is very developed, successfully reducing domestic flights and carbon emissions. " Roger pointed out that as long as there are more high-speed trains and night trains, flight and emission reduction should also be achieved in the UK, Europe and the United States.
This year, a friend of his got married in the United States, and Roger was invited. But he declined the invitation because he decided not to fly anymore. However, if there is an emergency, he will consider making an exception. Roger said that he may still have to come to China for work in the future, of course, he will still take the train.
"After finding out the route this time, it will be easier next time. Ill also get off the train more and have a look at the scenery along my way."
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