Licensed therapist Leslie Davenport responds to a reader struggling with the joy of travel and guilt over its carbon emissions. In her advice column for Grist, she encourages balancing personal choices with planetary concerns without letting guilt overwhelm joy. She suggests more intentional travel practices and positive-impact destinations.
A reader writing as 'Wondering Wanderer' to Grist's 'Ask a Climate Therapist' column expressed conflict over prioritizing travel despite knowing it contributes significantly to carbon emissions. The individual saves most money for trips to meet friends abroad, visit relatives, or explore national and international parks, while striving for sustainability elsewhere in life. Each flight now brings guilt and fear that clashes with excitement, prompting the question of how to reconcile personal decisions with environmental beliefs and goals. The column appeared on March 20, 2026. Leslie Davenport, the licensed therapist, views this tension as evidence of an 'intact compassion compass.' She advises against dismissing discomfort, as it promotes awareness of planetary impacts, but warns that excessive guilt can hinder joy and connection. Instead, she recommends transforming guilt into guidance by asking: 'Given what I know, what kind of traveler do I want to be?' Practical suggestions include traveling less frequently but for longer stays, opting for local exploration with lower-carbon transport, prioritizing relationship-deepening trips, or choosing destinations like Costa Rica, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Bhutan where tourism supports conservation, local communities, and ecosystems. Davenport emphasizes that individual actions matter but should not shoulder the full burden of systemic issues, such as fossil fuel-dependent travel infrastructure. She urges discussing dilemmas with friends and family to foster shared understanding and community ripple effects. Ultimately, she encourages reflection, flexible commitments, and embracing travel as an expression of love for Earth, holding space for grief, responsibility, and joy simultaneously.
