Which: reducing our "carbon footprint" or furthering our cultural understanding of others through travel?

Answer 1

We don't have to stop doing things to fight global warming. Here's the plan:

http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/0,1518,481085,00.html

http://www.ipcc.ch/SPM040507.pdf

Travel and enjoy.

Answer 2

Well aside from actually meeting a specific person there's more information about other cultures right in front of you than anywhere else.

And the only place you need to travel is to the kettle to make some tea while you read it. Although that leaves a tiny footprint in itself.

Answer 3

Both, It's quite possible to do a lot of travelling and offset all the associated carbon emissions.

Last year a friend and I went to some countries in Africa and met people from maybe a dozen or so different cultures. Whilst we were there we planted a whole load of trees which will benefit the local people and offset 100 lifetimes of carbon emissions.

Answer 4

I'm guessing you meant to ask which is more important or valuable. When it comes to travel, why not go retro with a techno-twist:
bring back the sailing vessels. Get to know your fellow man on a lengthy wind-powered cruise. New technologies have can harness the wind much better than ships of old.

Trains - electric, mag-lev - with power supplied via networks of nuclear, solar, and wind generators.

Airships. If you have to cross the ocean by air, it's pretty classy. New technologies make this a much safer form of travel than that which was abandoned decades ago.

I have nothing against jets. But being part of the "jet-set" has led to a quick-paced lifestyle which tends to be self-centered and high-consumption - not the best side of humanity in my opinion.

Answer 5

Stop the deforestation, coal plants and inefficient cars before talking about the planes.

Answer 6

Have another drink.It'll be okay.