Impress your eco-conscious kids by going on holiday by ferry. Mother of two, Holly Tuppen, explores the pluses for the planet, the best operators and destinations
Most parents have at least once disembarked from an aeroplane with kids (possibly covered in sick) vowing never to do it again. It’s not just being confined in an aluminium tube several miles high with the most hyperactive beings you’ve ever known that wears you down; it’s also the unrelenting faff of transfers, airports, security and a pricing system that means you have to leave home well before the crack of dawn.
There’s a more profound reason to put the brakes on flying, too; air travel contributes over 800 million tonnes of carbon into the atmosphere every year, 2.5 per cent of the world’s total carbon emissions. One return flight from London to Sydney emits about half the average person’s annual carbon footprint. So, if we really want to make a difference to climate change and halt impending doom, the best thing we can do is kick our jet setting ways.
Enjoying the view from the Isle of Wight ferry
Thankfully, this doesn’t mean putting an end to holidays, but it does mean appreciating the art of slow travel. When travelling overland, trains are the big environmental winners — the train from London to Paris is 91 per cent less polluting than jumping on a plane. Coach travel follows in second place, and next comes ferry transport, which becomes much better for the environment when combined with trains and bikes. Although statistics are vague, the UK government estimates that ferry travel emits a third of the carbon emissions of flying per passenger.
Kids love to explore boats, and ferries are no different
Ferry crossings are also full of adventure. Whatever your age, there’s something intrepid about waving goodbye to a shoreline and heading out into the open seas. Wildlife enthusiasts can spot dolphins and seabirds, keen geographers can piece together the world map, and, if that sounds a little optimistic, there are games rooms, soft play, table tennis and cinemas to fill the hours. If nothing else, it’s a joy to load up the car with all the holidaying paraphernalia imaginable and not be charged extra for the pleasure.
Schemes to protect our seas are flourishing
In 2018, Surfers Against Sewage united 67,759 volunteers to remove 116 tonnes of plastic pollution from beaches in the UK. The group campaigns to protect the country’s beaches and seas and promotes plastic-free living.
Take the Marine Conservation Society’s ‘plastic challenge’ to avoid single-use plastic and buy fish from sustainable sources or join its Sea Champions national volunteer programme.
Sea Shepherd UK. This international marine protection charity plays an active role in UK seas from supporting the Cornwall Wildlife Trust to defending seals against fishing nets.
Kids Against Plastic. This charity for kids set up by Amy and Ella, aged 15 and 13, not only explains why we should all be doing our bit, but has some great resources for schools to get involved.
Kids between 4-11-years-old can sign up to be an ORCA FinFriend to help protect the UK’s whales, dolphins and porpoises while learning more about them.
Fun at The Isle of Eigg
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