I fly every year or two to see my family in Japan and it adds a lot to my carbon footprint. Even though it might have a big impact, it's extremely hard to skip out on seeing family I rarely ever get to see. My family and I do still try to be green whenever we can for our trip, we choose the eco friendliest routes that have the least stops, and sometimes my mom even brings home some recyclables because there is no recycling system in rural Japan.

I agree with you as my family also lives all around the world so maintaining a average carbon footprint can be hard. It adds a lot to my footprint as my family travels at least once a month to keep in touch with loved ones. Keeping eco friendly on your trips is a smart touch and I can definitely start to incorporate that more in my travel.

I relate to both of your experiences. While my extended family does live nearby, I do take some long-distance trips that add to my carbon footprint. Flying is a high environmental footprint activity, but studies say that some high impact activities, like major trips, are hard to completely stop doing (IPCC, 2022). Choosing to take non-stop flights and building green practice in travel, like you have done, are great methods of cutting that footprint down. It's more about finding a harmony between significant traveling and environmental consciousness. Both are important.

I also fly to visit my family who lives across the country, and it adds a significant amount to my carbon footprint. Unfortunately it is the only way to visit them besides driving, and I don't have the time to drive for four days to see them. I hope that the United States eventually develops an electric high speed rail system as that would help reduce air travel and carbon emissions a lot. I try to keep in mind how I can be eco-friendly while im traveling and on a trip. I always make sure to not over consume and to always bring a refillable water bottle instead of wasting plastic ones. I also think it is very interesting how rural Japan has no recycling system, yet the United States carbon emissions were almost five times Japan's carbon emissions in 2023 (2025, investopedia.com). I wonder what percent of people in Japan have access to recycling vs the United States.

Recently I have been flying out of state every year. Adding on to late my family does a lot of driving back and forth.  I the future I hope that the electric cars will help lower the carbon emissions.  I the U.S. around 28 percent of emissions come from transportation (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, n.d.).  I wonder if in the future will scientist figure out a way to lower CO2 emissions

There are a lot of things that people do in this world that are not eco friendly, and I try my best to reduce those activities. My family and I live in California, and like many others, visit family or friends in other parts of the world. Every year, we drive down to Cabo to see some family friends which increases my carbon footprint by a good bit. In fact, driving is by far the largest part of my family's footprint, over half. This is an example of something that my family will not compromise. I also have a cherished hobby, where I go and run my family’s tractor over the weekend. I hardly burn any diesel, but it goes without needing to be said that this hobby is probably not the best decision for the planet.

Obviously, a lot of this stuff (like traveling to visit family) isn't really in our control, which can seem really upsetting when a few trips a year can greatly increase your carbon footprint. But, like you said, trying to be as green and sustainable as possible when traveling is a great way that you can have an impact on your own emissions!

Sure, You are correct

yes i agree its hard to do.

I agree that you should be going and seeing them because they are your family, but i feel that you shouldnt fly there more than twice a year. that way you can even out your carbon impact and see your family.