FLYGSKAMMERS (Oh, how I hate moralists!)

FLYGSKAM - A Tale of Avocado-Eating Hypocrites and Climate-Godzillas

People who know me understand that I harbor a profound distaste for moralists, censors, and preachers. My childhood was steeped in Christian morality, and just when I thought I had escaped its clutches, along came the second wave: the vegan moralists, the cancel culture movement, and the conspiracy theorists. But wait, there’s more! As one of the most eco-conscious individuals you’ll ever meet, I now find myself targeted by a new movement—the Swedish expression FLYGSKAM, or flight shaming.

The Flight Shaming Phenomenon

Picture this: a group of privileged avocado-eating hypocrites wagging their fingers at anyone daring to board an airplane. Yes, you heard me right. These self-appointed guardians of the ozone layer are on a mission to discourage—and shame—people from flying. And if you dare to take a short-term leisure flight, they’ll brand you a climate-Godzilla. Imagine the audacity!

Sinful Desires: Cabo Verde, Turkey, and Greece

So, let’s talk about YOUR sins. You’ve toiled all year, and now have a precious two weeks of freedom. Your heart yearns for the sun-kissed beaches of Cabo Verde, the ancient ruins of Turkey, and the azure waters of Greece. But oh no, the FLYGSKAM brigade wants to rain on your parade. They insist that you should stay grounded, lest you single-handedly melt the polar ice caps.

Aviation Emissions: A Drop in the Carbon Ocean

Let’s get real. Aviation contributes a mere 2.5% of global CO2 emissions (Google that!). And if we focus solely on leisure flights, that figure shrinks even further. Yet these intellectual quinoa-soup-charlatans would have you believe that my desire to sip ouzo in Athens is akin to summoning the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse.

The Tobacco Industry: The Real Villain

Hold your eco-friendly horses! While aviation tiptoes around with its 2.5%, the tobacco industry waltzes in with a whopping 5% of greenhouse gases. And that’s not all. Tobacco cultivation leads to deforestation, loss of natural habitats, and social impacts. Where’s the smoking-shaming? Why aren’t we wagging our fingers at the Marlboro Man?

Green Party Supporters: Frequent Flyers Extraordinaire

And here’s a juicy tidbit: a German survey reveals that supporters of the Green party fly more than their liberal or conservative counterparts. Yes, you read that correctly. The very folks advocating for stricter environmental policies are racking up frequent flyer miles faster than a Tesla on Ludicrous Mode.

In Conclusion: Let’s Fly Responsibly

So, dear Greta and Flygscammers, let’s strike a deal. You keep your sanctimonious opinions, and I’ll keep my wanderlust. But please, use a generous amount of lubricant (figuratively speaking) and stick those opinions where the sun doesn’t shine—like Sweden in the winter. And while you’re at it, spare a thought for the tobacco fields.

Stay tuned for more insults to moralists. Because nothing says “eco-warrior” like a well-timed eye roll.

 Bon voyage, fellow climate-Godzillas! 

What share of global CO₂ emissions come from aviation? - Our World in Data

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