Four modes of sense-making for sustainability development: environmentalists and the dilemma of taking long haul flights Dr Andrew Reeves, Institute of Energy and Sustainable Development, De Montfort University BECC, Washington DC Monday 8th October 2018

How did you get here? How did you get here?

Flying long-haul: one of the most substantial individual contributions towards climate change (London to Washington: 1.6tonnes) No technological solutions for sustainable mass low-carbon flights on the horizon1 So, where feasible we should look to fly less

Need for Behaviour Change

1: Personal Identity 2: Collective Identity 4 Modes of sense-making 3: Measurable Impacts 4: Indirect Impacts 4 Modes of sense-making AUTOMA T I C I’ve quit flying I feel a bit guilty, but… I need to travel as part of my work role RE F L ECT I VE I’ll calculate my emissions and pay the offset I’ll keep flying until the government stops me (which they should) It’s OK if the overall impact of the trip is positive What I do will make no difference BECC, Washington DC, Monday 8th October 2018

Personal Identity and Collective Identity 1: Who am I? What do I value? I live an international life ‘Love miles’ For some, a Personal Norm to not fly 2: Who are my peers? What do they do? Norms of behaviour Core business of organisation? Often habit Often not considered or articulated Reflection can enable transformative learning1 1: Mezirow, J., 1990. How critical reflection triggers transformative learning. Fostering critical reflection in adulthood, 1, p.20. BECC, Washington DC, Monday 8th October 2018

3. Focus on Measurable Impacts Calculate carbon emissions of options Change mode Offset Decision rule: minimise! Sail-hitching (crew) Sail passenger1 If flying, minimise distance But… 1: StarClippers (2018) Star Clippers website. https://www.starclippers.com/us-dom

4. Focus on Indirect Impacts How does a decision assist desired transition pathway(s)? Vision(s)? Backcast to present day Actions now Think systemically1 1: Anderson (2015) Slow and Low – the way to go: a systems view of travel emissions. In “Beyond Flying: Rethinking Air Travel in a Global World”.

Our Own Decision Logic Personal: + Desire to travel + History of avoiding flying + Identity as climate change activist – hope! Collective: + Norms of close friends Norms of colleagues + Academics considering alternatives1 Measurable Impact: - Oil-fuelled ship + Genuinely ‘going anyway’ +&- Cost (c. $150/day) Indirect Impact: + Model of Slow Travel (cost, duration, ethos) + Engagement opportunity 1: https://academicflyingblog.wordpress.com

BECC, Washington DC, Monday 8th October 2018 It took a week BECC, Washington DC, Monday 8th October 2018

Summary: Self-awareness and Transition thinking Evaluate considering vision of sustainable future(s) (and count what helps) Make the unconscious conscious Reflect, invite feedback Navigate with integrity 1: Personal Identity 2: Collective Identity 3: Measurable Impacts 4: Indirect Impacts 4 Modes of sense-making Contact: Andrew Reeves: areeves@dmu.ac.uk BECC, Washington DC, Monday 8th October 2018