Max Reisinger’s journey to study at Lincoln was more than metaphorical. It involved trains, a ferry and hitchhiking, as well as some spectacular sights on the way.
The Natural Resource Management and Ecological Engineering (NARMEE) student came to Lincoln from Vienna for a semester as part of a joint degree arrangement.
On the way he got to experience “the endless Siberian birch swamps, the crystal-clear Baikal Lake, the Gobi desert in Mongolia, the highlands of China and the hilly grasslands and rocky coasts of New Zealand”.
The passionate ecologist and climate activist challenged himself to make the 18,289 kilometre trip, as the crow flies, in the most carbon friendly way possible.
“I engage for sustainability and a good, just and liveable future for all in every aspect of my life,” Max says.
“Therefore I asked myself if you can, as a conscious and aware person, who cares deeply about climate protection and knows what climate-relevant impact such a long flight has, travel to New Zealand for a semester abroad, for an "environmental and sustainability” programme?
“That seemed quite contradictory and ironic.
“Therefore, I took several trains to Moscow to take the Trans-Siberian train across Russia to Beijing. After 10 days of train riding I took my one and only flight on this trip. Normally it would need about three different airplanes from Austria. I got onto the most efficient passenger plane that produces less emissions than normal ones to come from Beijing to Auckland.
“After exploring the city for two days I enjoyed my train ride across the north island. Definitely one of the most beautiful train rides in the world. Finally, I took the ferry to come to the South Island and was lucky to hitchhike down to Lincoln on day 16. It was amazing. I made it.
“I realised that it’s all about enjoying the magic of slow travelling and making the journey part of your story.”
He stayed and worked on a permaculture farm close to Lincoln, taking the chance to “deepen his interest in permaculture and regenerative farming systems as I see a lot of health and future potential in the face of climate change in it”.
“Once in a while it is good to get your hands dirty and do some physical work next to all the thinking. So I got also a permaculture "degree" next to my university degree,” he said.
“My story and learnings shall help future travellers and exchange students to also consider limiting their negative impact on the environment and at the same time make a live changing experience, which you wouldn´t have, if you just see airports and the inside of planes.
“I saw and experienced, even got to be part of the nature, animals, and biotopes I want to protect. I experienced the beauty of life and nature to an extreme extent.
“Sadly the impacts of modern travelling are devastating and difficult to just account on the individual footprint. It needs systemic change and a shift towards less and just absolute necessary travelling. Offsetting is only an end of pipe solution that should just be considered after avoiding and reducing aviation.”
He said choosing the less impactful and more climate friendly solution cost him three times more, and he thought there was a need for incentives or support for that choice, especially from universities with a large international contingent, like Lincoln.
However, he added, there are amazing individuals and groups on campus pushing the topic and feeling the same urgency to real action, like the Sustainability Action Group for our Environment (SAGE), and the LU Climate Action Group (students club).
“Thank you for all your contributions, every single small action is important and inspires me to keep on my passion.”
You can read more about Max’s trip on his blog https://einlebeninvollenzuegen.wordpress.com/