What does a dedicated climate activist do when asked to be a bridesmaid on the other side of the world?
Well, in the case of Barbara Haddrill (Babs), who works as a railway operator and biology expert at the Centre for Alternative Technology (CAT) in mid Wales, she just said “No worries, mate” and set off to find alternative overland transport to the big wedding in Australia.
“The carbon dioxide from air travel is one of the biggest single contributors to climate change,”
said Babs. “It’s been a challenging trip to organise, but definitely worth it to know I’m not having a harmful impact on the planet.
“I can’t wait to be on my way, looking out the window of the Trans Siberian Railway, which traverses 3,608 miles through remarkably varied landscapes.
“I could just jump on a jumbo at Cardiff International and be there in 22 hours, but imagine the adventure I would be missing out on,” she added.
Trains, boats and buses all have less impact on the environment than planes. One single flight to Australia uses the same amount of energy needed to heat five modern houses for an entire year, or as much as would be used to produce and transport food for five people for a year (5.2 tonnes).
Similarly, one return flight can emit more damaging carbon dioxide (CO2) than a whole year of driving.
When the greenhouse gas is churned out at high altitudes, it is far more potent than at ground level.
Babs will start her journey on a bus from Wales to Moscow, where she will jump on the Trans Siberian Railway. From there she plans to make her way by train to Singapore and catch a boat down to the Australian mainland. And the dress? We’ll have to wait until she gets back to find that out.