Next Stop: India

Elliot and I leave Wednesday morning for New Delhi, where Worse Than Poop! will be screening as part of the CMS Vatavaran Festival. 

It's particularly exciting to be heading to India this week, as the Indian government just released the exciting news of its climate pledges in advance of the COP21 summit. India, the third-largest emitter of CO2, has promised to produce 40% of its energy from renewables, and to reduce its carbon intensity by a third, by 2030.  Which is *really* good news for the planet - and for the people of India.

Since our flights to India will generate approximately 34,000 pounds of CO2, I am looking for an organization working on renewable energy projects in India that can provide an offset. (I will be paying double the rate published by TerraPass). If you know of an organization we should consider, please let me know!

I've wanted to go to India for many, many years, and I'm thrilled to have the opportunity to do this with Elliot. But I have to admit to being somewhat apprehensive, as there is a phrase that comes up with alarming regularity whenever I speak with someone who has been to India. They tell me that India is "an assault on the senses," and that we will "almost certainly get Delhi belly" (i.e. stomach upset due to any one of a number of probable causes). Maybe it's because I'm a mom - or maybe I'm just getting old - but the thought of being assaulted and getting sick has put something of a damper on my enthusiasm. 

However, an Indian friend will be traveling with us, which is very reassuring. And Elliot is excited at the prospect of seeing elephants and monkeys, and riding the Delhi subway. Keep an eye on our Facebook page, where I will be posting photos from our adventures while we are in India. I'll also post more here once we return.

What About Pooping Airplanes?

Elliot and I have talked about whether or not to include "pooping airplanes" in Worse Than Poop! - and the idea of all that CO2 poop free-falling from 30k feet does conjure some potential hilarity.

But right now, there isn't much in the way of an alternative for long-distance travel (how many times has Elliot asked me if they've developed an electric airplane yet?). For those of us here in North America without decent rail service, our only choices are either to offset all that carbon, or simply to not fly.

So for anyone grappling with this dilemma, Mother Jones just published an article on a great new study that helps you determine the least-pooping airline for your particular route. Not exactly a long-term solution - but hey, the less poop, the better.