Judith Proctor's Journal

Looking at the TAFF rules, I think that if I don't stand, there won't be a race for Reno.  (because I believe it only happens if there is more than one candidate.)

As there is only one other candidate at present, it looks like that's the clincher.

If I stand, I cause an additional flight to happen.

Therefore, I don't stand.

Ah well, it was a nice thought while it lasted.

I've been asked if I'd like to be a candidate for TAFF and I'm seriously considering it.

It's an odd situation for me as I haven't flown since 2001  (I used to go regularly to US conventions and I went to Eclecticon in New Jersey shortly after 9/11 because I was damned if terrorists were going to stop me visiting my friends in America)

Not long after that, I became aware of the carbon footprint of a typical flight - and I made the decision to give up overseas travel.

However, in the case of TAFF, someone is going to go in any case, so the carbon footprint does not change if I go instead of someone else.

I have mixed feelings about TAFF, largely because it involves people flying.  On the other hand, it's the only way I'll ever see America again.  (having looked into carbon offset schemes, I concluded that a lot of them were pure greenwash and none of them could actually absorb carbon here and now.  Trees are all very well, but if you plant trees now, it'll take them around thirty years to absorb your carbon - and a lot of damage will have been done in that time.)

Should I stand?  Am I betraying my principles by doing so?