Flight Free UK began life in February 2019, inspired by the Swedish Flygfritt campaign that persuaded 14,500 Swedes not to fly in 2019. We run the #FlightFree2020 campaign which asks 100,000 people to pledge to stay grounded for a year in order to reduce their carbon footprint, re-discover the joys of overland travel, and start to shift the social norm away from aviation.
Anna has worked in the sustainable transport sector since 2008, mainly focussing on increasing cycling levels with children and families. A lifelong environmentalist, she made the decision to stop flying ten years ago and hopes the #flightfree2020 campaign will inspire others to do the same.
A photography graduate, Alice is part of our media team, creating and producing visual resources for the campaign. She’s keen to show that we can have great holidays without flying and even though we as individuals can’t change the world, when we work together we can have a real impact.
Finlay is studying Politics, Philosophy and Economics at Manchester University. Like many other politically-minded people, the environment has long been a central issue for Fin, and he believes that grassroots movements such as Flight Free UK are an essential piece of the puzzle in avoiding climate disaster.
Originally from Yorkshire, Harry is studying for a Postgraduate in Environmental Politics in London. He’s involved in the UK Youth Climate Coalition and is a regular contributor to Bright Green. Having been flight-free for more than two years, Harry is passionate about campaigning for a reduction in aeroplane usage.
Helena studied human geography and has an interest in the emotion and identity of individual and collective forms of environmental activism. Having worked for Just Love Sheffield, Christians Against Poverty and Tearfund, she aims to inspire a collective responsibility to take action on the ecological crisis.
Jo manages our Edinburgh team. It was a recent flight to Peru that woke her up to the climate impact of flying, and she decided then and there to stop (once getting home of course!) Jo is passionate about reducing her carbon footprint and encouraging others to do the same.
Geography graduate Joe was brought up on the west coast of Scotland which gave him a care for the living world and an interest in environmental issues. Inspired to become a campaigner by the birth of Extinction Rebellion and the Youth Climate strikes, he looks after our social media team.
Josh has been making videos and podcasts for many years, with the aim of inspiring people to make positive changes in their lives. He has previously worked in radio production, and brings his skills and experience to help spread the #flightfree2020 word through our podcast series.
With a degree in Biology, Katie has a passion for the natural world and has previously worked at Ape Alliance, Keep Britain Tidy and London Sustainability Exchange. She brings experience as a campaigner, trying to generate greater public awareness of climate change, to the Flight Free UK team.
Originally from Germany, Leah completed postdoctorate degrees in both Dresden and Oxford. After leading a team of biomedical researchers at the University of Edinburgh for the past four years, the urgency of the climate crisis has inspired her to switch careers. Leah now campaigns with our Edinburgh team.
Maria lives in San Sebastian in northern Spain, and stopped flying several years ago because of concern for the type of world her son would inherit. She now travels by train to see family and friends in Buckinghamshire, and manages our Facebook page.
Now based in Bristol with her family, Maggie has had many managerial roles at universities all over the UK. Her excellent writing skills, together with her passion for environmental issues, climate change communication and carbon footprinting, are put to good use as content generator for the blog.
Michael has a keen interest in the environment and has previously worked in the arboricultural industry. He joins our Edinburgh team with a mission to help break the modern habit of air travel. He understands the challenge but knows it is a crucial step for individuals and society.
A keen traveller, Pippi recently made the connection between flights and her carbon footprint, and is now passionate about raising awareness of the impact of flying with others. She’s involved with her local Extinction Rebellion group and fits in Flight Free admin around her studies.
Roger has worked as Corporate Outreach Manager for two highly successful vegan charities and has a passion for sustainability in all its forms. He recently celebrated over three decades of veganism by cycling from Land’s End to John o’ Groats in just nine days. He lives in Cambridge and brings his expertise to our Comms Department.
Flight Free 2020 is part of an international campaign encouraging people to fly less. It is currently active in Sweden, the UK, Denmark, France, Germany, Canada, USA, Australia and Peru.
Interested in setting up Flight Free in your country? Get in touch.
