I rarely fly, for environmental reasons more than anything else.

Hear, O listener, the quiet but resolute words of Marcus Brigstocke, spoken not with thunder but with conscience: “I rarely fly, for environmental reasons more than anything else.” At first, they may seem like a personal choice, a simple habit of one man. Yet beneath them lies a profound declaration of sacrifice and responsibility, a recognition that even the smallest acts of restraint can echo across generations when guided by wisdom and love for the earth.

The meaning of this teaching lies in the knowledge that the skies, once the realm of freedom and wonder, have become burdened by human excess. Each flight, though swift and convenient, casts into the heavens a trail of carbon, invisible yet heavy, warming the planet and reshaping the future. To fly rarely is not merely to decline a journey—it is to choose humility over indulgence, foresight over convenience, and solidarity with the earth over the hunger for speed. Brigstocke, in his words, testifies that personal choices, though small in appearance, are mighty in consequence when measured in the balance of the environment.

History itself gives witness to this truth. In the 1970s, during the oil crises, entire nations were forced to confront their dependence on fossil fuels. Flights were reduced, cars set aside, and conservation became a necessity rather than a choice. Though hardship was great, the skies cleared, and the earth itself seemed to breathe with relief. This moment showed humanity what restraint could accomplish: that less consumption does not mean less dignity, but rather a deeper awareness of what truly sustains life. Brigstocke’s choice is born from the same spirit, but chosen freely, not forced—a sacrifice for love rather than necessity.

Consider also the story of Greta Thunberg, who in 2019 refused to fly across the Atlantic and instead sailed by boat to address the United Nations. Her voyage was not swift, but it was symbolic, a rebuke to a world addicted to speed without thought of consequence. Her refusal to fly awakened millions to the truth that the convenience of hours in the air often comes at the cost of centuries of climate disruption. In her example we see the same principle Brigstocke speaks: that the greatest journeys are those made not in haste, but in alignment with conscience.

Mark this well, O listener: to fly less is not simply to deny oneself pleasure, but to embrace a higher calling. It is to recognize that every journey taken carries a cost borne not only by the traveler but by all living beings, from the smallest insect to the future child yet unborn. It is to say, “I will not take more than my share, I will not leave behind a trail of harm when I could choose otherwise.” Such choices may seem small, but they are stones cast into the waters of time, their ripples spreading far beyond what the eye can see.

Let this be the lesson: live with awareness of the impact of your actions, not only upon yourself but upon the earth. If you must travel, consider the train, the bus, or even the humble bicycle. If you must fly, let it be rarely, and with full recognition of the cost. Balance necessity with responsibility, and do not allow habit or convenience to silence the voice of conscience. For in every act of restraint, there is power, and in every choice made with awareness, there is hope.

Therefore, O child of tomorrow, take Brigstocke’s words into your heart. You may not be able to end all pollution, nor undo all harm, but you can shape your own actions with care. Walk more lightly, journey more mindfully, and honor the air, the water, and the soil with your choices. For the strength of a generation is built not only on laws and movements, but on the quiet resolve of individuals who say, as Brigstocke said, “I rarely fly, for environmental reasons.”

Thus, this saying endures as both confession and call to action. It reminds us that even the simplest habits carry the weight of eternity, and that the path to healing the earth begins not with grand proclamations, but with the steady, humble decisions of each soul who dares to live in harmony with the world.