Unique Slow Travel Adventure: Putting Earth Before Work
- Editorial Team
- Jul 21
- 5 min read
Updated: Oct 3
An ongoing news story about the remarkable slow travel journey of Italian scientist Dr. Gianluca Grimalda, who puts the planet above his career, prompts a timely question: Is work more important than Earth?
It was the year 2023, and climate scientist Dr. Gianluca Grimalda embarked on an extraordinary slow journey across the globe. Covering almost 42,000 kilometers from Germany to Papua New Guinea and back, he captured worldwide attention. Because he had achieved this voyage mainly without flying, which led to him being dubbed "the climate scientist who refused to fly."
Researchers consider flying the most environmentally damaging form of travel, and Dr. Grimalda decided to take his journey the slow way. He had promised the residents of Bougainville, a sinking island in Papua New Guinea where he conducts his research, that he would not fly on his return trip.
However, his decision was also a promise to himself. "I have a moral commitment to this type of travel," he told the New York Times at the time. "To be at peace within myself knowing that I have done the absolute right thing."
"Many people tell me I’m crazy, and that I’m not going to change anything," he had also mentioned to the media. "To me, it is insane to continue with business as usual. I want to invite people to shift the boundaries of what is considered normal within their own sphere of action."
Although Dr. Grimalda told his followers on social media during his slow travel journey that "there is nothing I must do in Kiel that I cannot do while travelling," his employer, the Kiel Institute for the World Economy (IfW Kiel), dismissed him for not returning as planned. This led to an unforeseen result, as Dr. Grimalda became the first person globally to be fired for refusing to fly for environmental reasons.
"I want to invite people to shift the boundaries of what is considered normal within their own sphere of action."
About Slow Travel, Work and Earth
Since that journey, the global media story has continued. In January 2025, Dr. Grimalda won an unfair dismissal case regarding his previous termination. This legal victory, supported by lawyer Jörn A. Broschat, LL.M., a forward-thinking labour expert, brought new insights into air travel's environmental impact. Broschat questioned, "Is this the beginning of a new awareness of how our work impacts the planet?"
"It represents a milestone in the emerging discussion about the rights of employees to stand up for their climate principles as part of their professional obligations," he also said. He added: "This is just the beginning of undoubtedly numerous labour law decisions that will address the complex interplay between climate change and the interests of employees and employers."
"It is a milestone in the emerging discussion about the rights of employees to stand up for their climate principles as part of their professional obligations."
Latest Twist In The Slow Travel Story
A documentary (see trailer below) about this slow travel story has since been added to the narrative. "The Researcher," directed by Paolo Casalis and filmed by Dr. Grimalda using a gimbal and a smartphone, has won a UK film award. It highlights an exceptionally unique slow travel adventure that uses ferries, military convoys, and truck rides, intentionally avoiding air travel.
The film won the Best Educational Pathway Film award at the International Frome Climate Film Festival, selected from over 1,140 films worldwide. It premiered in June 2024 at the Cinemambiente Film Festival in Turin, Italy, and has been showcased at 30 events across 15 countries, including 16 film festivals.
"When I proposed to Gianluca the project of making a documentary out of his low-carbon travel, I would have never imagined it would have ended up detailing a milestone case of civil disobedience for the environment," said Paolo Casalis.
To which Dr. Grimalda added: "I would never have thought that this film would have had such a large worldwide audience. I am delighted that associations, organisations and single individuals use my film as a tool to talk about climate change and climate activism."
In conclusion, he said: "I know very well that telling stories of climate resistance is more important than facts and statistics in raising awareness on climate issues. This prize is yet another recognition that losing my job has been worthwhile after all."
"I know that telling stories is more important than facts and statistics in raising awareness on climate issues. This prize is yet another recognition that losing my job has been worthwhile after all."
Not The End Of The Story
Nonetheless, this story is far from complete. There is still a book to come, and Dr. Grimalda has told Perspective Living: "I am preparing to return to Papua no-fly to further my research there," and assured us he would keep us informed. He concluded: "I plan to depart in August." So stay tuned to this post for more updates to come!
About Dr. Gianluca Grimalda
Dr. Gianluca Grimalda is an experimental social scientist studying the relationship between social cohesion, globalisation, and climate change, focusing on the inclination to assist others within a group, even at personal sacrifice. He contributes to policy development for the International Panel on Social Progress, ThinkTank20, and the Global Tipping Points Report, and has conducted field studies in Bougainville, Papua New Guinea, on local adaptation to sea level rise and drought among indigenous horticulturalists.
About The Long Journey: Not in vain?
Dr. Gianluca Grimalda travelled over 42,000 kilometers by land and sea, surpassing the Earth's circumference of about 40,000 kilometers. His journey involved 18 coaches, 18 trains, 7 ferries, 1 cargo ship, 8 vans or shared taxis, 2 trucks or hitchhikes, 2 police convoys, and 2 airplanes. The 28,000-kilometer return trip was completed without flying. Despite various factors affecting emission calculations, Dr. Grimalda estimates saving 7,620 kg of CO2 by minimising air travel.
Afterthought: Slow Travel, New Insights?
Dr. Grimalda's story emphasises the environmental effects of air travel and suggests a shift in perspective where we prioritise the planet over work. It also provides insights into how slow travel can offer deeper perspectives and unique experiences.
For example, he told Perspective Living: "When ask about my most beautiful and challenging moment, I always mention the Qolma (or Kulma) pass between China and Tajikistan, at 4300 meters above sea level. To cut emissions, I chose not to take a taxi, hoping for a ride from a truck driver. It was near sunset, at minus 21°C, and unfortunately truck drivers couldn't accommodate me and my luggage. But helpful soldiers arranged two trucks for me."
In Tajikistan's Pamir region near the Afghan border, Dr. Grimalda experienced another unforgettable journey on the renowned Pamir highway. "Travelling in a van with ten local men, the trip took twenty hours due to three landslides. Despite the delays, the landscape was breathtaking and featured a light blue Panj River flanked by rocky cliffs," he said.
"However," he added, "the most wonderful experience was meeting numerous individuals willing to assist me without expecting anything in return. I counted at least 50."
Comments