The Psychology of Flying episode artwork

EPISODE · Aug 2, 2026 · 17 MIN

The Psychology of Flying

from Your Brain On Climate · host Your Brain On Climate

Why do people who care about climate change still jet off on planes (including, occasionally, me?) This is an excerpt of me attempting to answer that surprisingly complicated question on Joel Walker's Look Near First podcast - where Joel asked me all about the psychology and culture of flying. How come despite knowing about climate change, and the damage aviation causes, those who fly keep on doing so - even if they're ostensibly really concerned about the planet? And if facts don't do it, what might persuade said people to holiday closer to home? I have a go at marshalling everything this show has taught me about human brains and how they work.  It was a pleasure to be invited on Look Near First. Here's a link to the full episode of my chat with Joel, and I commend his show to you in the highest terms.  Joel appeared on Your Brain on Climate a few episodes back telling me his story - the pilot who quit because of his climate anxiety. Please do consider chipping in a couple of quid over at http://www.patreon.com/yourbrainonclimate. And a written review would be ace. Please thank you please. The show is hosted and produced by me, Dave Powell. The show is over on Instagram at @yourbrainonclimate. YBOC theme music and iterations thereof, by me.  Show logo by Arthur Stovell at www.designbymondial.com.  

Episode metadata supplied by the publisher feed · Published Aug 2, 2026

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Why do people who care about climate change still jet off on planes (including, occasionally, me?) This is an excerpt of me attempting to answer that surprisingly complicated question on Joel Walker's Look Near First podcast - where Joel asked me all about the psychology and culture of flying. How come despite knowing about climate change, and the damage aviation causes, those who fly keep on doing so - even if they're ostensibly really concerned about the planet? And if facts don't do ...

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