In recent decades, private jets have become status symbols for the world's wealthiest, while quick and easy flights have brought far-flung destinations within the reach of everyone. But at what cost to the environment? Around the world, flying emits around 860 million metric tonnes of carbon dioxide each year, and until the outbreak of Covid-19, the aviation industry was one of the planet's fastest-growing polluters.

Now is the perfect time to pause and take stock of our toxic relationship with flying. Part climate-change investigation, part travel memoir, Zero Altitude follows Helen Coffey as she journeys as far as she can in the course of her job as a top travel journalist - all without getting on a single flight. Between trips by train, car, boat and bike, she meets climate experts and activists at the forefront of the burgeoning flight-free movement. Over the course of her travels, she discovers that keeping both feet on the ground is not only possible but that it can be an exhilarating opportunity for adventure. Her book is brimming with tips and ideas for swapping the middle seat for the open road.

About the Author
HELEN COFFEY is the travel editor of the Independent, having previously worked at national titles including the Daily Telegraph, Evening Standard and Daily Express. She regularly appears as an expert contributor on travel-related stories for the BBC News channel, BBC Breakfast, BBC Radio 4 and LBC, among others.

Reviews

Helen Coffey's book is an inspiration to share the joys of terrestrial travel - whether on high-speed rail, a slow boat to Africa or, as a pilgrim, on two feet. Be transported to a gentler, more analogue world - with simple pleasures such as the splash of the Adriatic less than 24 hours after leaving London

-- Simon Calder, author of No Frills: The Truth Behind the Low-Cost Revolution in the Skies

Zero Altitude is passionate, entertaining and compelling, yet light-hearted. Helen puts forward a strong case for travelling without flying that will have you yearning to follow in her grounded footsteps

-- Anna Hughes, director of Flight Free UK



Book Information
ISBN 9780750995726
Author Helen Coffey
Format Hardback
Imprint The History Press Ltd
Publisher The History Press Ltd
Dimensions(mm) 216mm * 138mm * 24mm