Families and full time musicianship can function. But that is very much an issue you must look at, not me
If you're worried about carbon footprints, however, you should walk to all your gigs from here out.
My instruments (I carry at least 3 wherever I go) are an ongoing negotiation with check-in staff.
But as this is also part of my job, I deal with it!

How do you find the gigs?
Stop sitting on your arse in here complaining about it and use the internet to ask questions about what's out there.
Is it your job, or isn't it??????

Anon 09.24:
What is a Folk-Club?

I'm talking about 9 venues in a landmass that supports 120 million people, once every 9 weeks...., and gorgeous wee gigs they would have been.

The venues are there if you look hard enough, and apply a little lateral thinking along the way.

B.